110 IMPROVEMENT OF THE BREEDS. 



among the flocks that occupied soft pastures were 

 immense." How did it happen, that the store-master 

 had no other resource but to persevere in an unprofita- 

 ble course ? Was he obliged to strive against natural 

 obstacles, which even a short experience might have 

 taught him were, in that manner, insurmountable ? 

 Why not recur at once to the old mode of management, 

 rather than injure himself by kicking against the pricks, 

 '* Simdry store-masters were not aware," says Mr Hogg, 

 " that their old breed would so obstinately resist the 

 impression of the Cheviot blood, nor did they ever 

 dream that the mongrel issue would be so easily sub- 

 dued by the hardships and cold of winter : thus finding 

 their scheme opposed, at points where they anticipated 

 little resistance, they gave up the experiment ere it was 

 half completed, and introduced mountain rams to the 

 mongrel issue." Enough, however, has been said to 

 prove that this plan ought not to be pursued : let me 

 now say a few words as to the reasons which should 

 deter us from its adoption. To take a familiar illustra- 

 tion : — How would one of the worshipful company of 

 Aldermen, or a dignitary of the Church, manage to 

 keep up an appearance, if suddenly transported from 

 the luxurious plenty which surrounds him, to the 

 meagre fare, and churlish climate, of our Highlands ? 

 Would their offspring, which ten to one would be prone 

 to rapid growth, and, therefore, requiring at the least 

 a large supply of porridge and milk ; would they, 1 ask, 

 arrive at a healthy maturity, if supported only on the 

 oaten cake, and whang of skimmed-milk cheese, of the 

 hardy Northern? The answer is, they would not. They 

 would, doubtless, bear the climate j but the habit of 



