THE INFLUENCE OF THE BREED-MAKER. 9 



in a general way ; but gradually other skilled breeders arose, 

 and these began to select the best of their breeds after they had 

 been brought under the influence of more improved animals. 

 The extent to which what were known as Improved Leicesters 

 and Southdowns were used on the breeds throughout the country 

 is realised by few to-day. The influence was in most cases useful, 

 but when breeds which were not suitable were mated, and although 

 the sheep might show outward improvement, harm was occasionally 

 done by producing an animal not so well fitted to live the life 

 the conditions of farming demanded as were the original stock. 

 But there was practically not a breed that did not benefit from 

 the cross with either the Leicester or the Southdown. At times 

 the cross was too violent, but in many instances to-day the effect 

 of those early crosses is noticeable, to the advantage of the breed. 



From the crosses originated at the end of the eighteenth and 

 beginning of the nineteenth century most of the notable breeds 

 of to-day sprang. Some came earlier than others, and some 

 have been established as pure breeds (though admittedly com- 

 posite) ; whilst some of our best breeds are the produce of two or 

 more composite pure breeds ; and the work of creating new breeds 

 is going on and going on with much vigour in fact, one looks 

 with considerable confidence to seeing much breed-making among 

 sheep in the next quarter of a century. 



The great breed-makers of the past century or so conceived one 

 fundamental idea that certain indigenous features should be 

 preserved. As it is difficult for those who have seen only the 

 highly improved races of to-day to conceive from what ill-shaped, 

 unthrifty animals they were developed, some illustrations of 

 the breeds as they existed a century or less ago are given here. 

 Few inventors or discoverers in any industry have done better 

 work than have the men who worked on the unimproved live 

 stock of this country, and developed the breeds of to-day. Even 

 with the knowledge of what has been done there are not many 

 who could take up one of the few remaining unimproved sheep 

 types such as Mr. Elwes has brought together, and so select and 

 mate that the offspring in a few generations would be materially 

 improved. It is easy to cross them with improved animals, and 

 get striking results, but the position is very different to that when 

 there were no improved breeds, and a mind-picture had to be made 

 as to what should be aimed at. How well these pioneers did their 

 work ; with what foresight they pictured the improved animals ; 

 how they eliminated features that were undesirable ; and how 

 they built up a science of breeding where no science had been ; 

 must always place these breeders among the most valuable and 

 most accomplished of those who have shared in the development 

 of modern agriculture, or this country's industrial advance. 



