30 THE BREEDING PROBLEM. 



such cases the lock was still more complete. The results of such re- 

 crossing have not been worth recording, (except in the lesson taught), 

 notwithstanding the Bellfounder stock, as trotting stock, were of no 

 ordinary reputation for grand and powerful trotting action, not equaled, 

 perhaps, by that of any other then existing. The real value and effect 

 of this Bellfounder cross in Hambletonian is, perhaps, so imperfectly 

 understood in all its relations and tendencies as to cause many to 

 regard it as worthless and positively hurtful, while another class esteem 

 it the really valuable cross in this now great and popular family. 



Hambletonian has been called the key that unlocked the excellence 

 of the Star mares. The real faict is, that the Star mares were the key 

 that unlocked the veteran old horse, and liberated the treasures that 

 the Bellfounder blood had shut up in him. It is beyond doubt, in 

 great part owing to this Bellfounder cross — valuable though it is — 

 that Hambletonian is so uncertain and so unequal in the results of his 

 produce — but of this more at the proper time. 



The Mambrino and Pilot cross is one noted for bold and free 

 trotting action, yet I have great doubt whether stallions of this cross 

 will not totally fail when bred to mares of the Hambletonian families, 

 although the reverse may be looked to for very valuable results. 

 Such is the fickleness of the matter of sex in many cases. 



When it is borne in mind that the Hambletonian family is on& 

 of a very fixed type, and very strong and positive in blood, and that 

 a female of such character does not readily yield her individuality in 

 an outcross vnth. one of inferior blood, we will readily understand 

 why these mares are not successful when crossed vpith Mambrino and 

 Pilot, or other stallions of a lower grade of blood. The same principle 

 explains the ready success of the majority of the sons of Hambleto- 

 nian when crossed Avith the lower-bred mares of Mambrino and Pilot 

 grades. 



Again, the strictly thoroughbred mares, from the rigid and fixed caste 

 of their blood, refuse to yield to the Bellfounder element in Hamble- 

 tonian, and do not cross well with any of his sons, except when au 

 intermediate cross has intervened that serves as an alchemy to dissolve 

 and assimilate that otherwise obstinate element. Whenever Volunteer 

 has attained any mastery in the cross with a thoroughbred mare, h& 

 owes it to the intermediate agency of his Patriot dam. 



In this matter of one sex transmitting certain qualities which are 

 not transmitted alike by the opposite sex, were it not a fact within 

 the observation of every breeder of experience, it would afi"ord no 



