98 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



who is breeding for the market will find that he will 

 do best to keep as far from inbreeding as possible. 

 And this brings us to 



KENEWED VITALITY FKOM FKESH BLOOD. 



There is something wonderfully invigorating in 

 the mingling of unrelated bloods. This has long 

 been recognized by the advocates of cross-breeding. 

 It has indeed become a well-known saying that 

 "cross-bred animals are most thrifty. " "Cross- 

 bred lambs fatten first. " Among cattle breeders 

 the truth is admitted, and swine breeders very often 

 cross-breed for greater vigor and thrift. 



It is not so generally known that the bringing to- 

 gether of unrelated animals, especially of the same 

 breed if they may happen to have been grown under 

 different environment, most usually brings as much 

 added vigor and thrift as though two distinct breeds 

 had been brought together. There is great advan- 

 tage in bringing vigor without losing the breed and 

 its special character and purpose. 



The man, then, who finds his well-bred flock need- 

 ing a renewal of life, needing a general "toning up" 

 and rejuvenation, should not resort to cross-breed- 

 ing, supposing that he has already a breed of value 

 for his purpose, but should seek within his own 

 breed sires as remotely related as he can find, and 

 possessing as much health and vigor as he can find. 



He will find a marvelous result to come^from this 

 new mating with fresh blood. His old flock has in 

 it latent excellencies that lie dormant onlv because 



