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and delicacy of constitution. The best system of 

 maintaining the size and stamina of stock, where in- 

 and-in breeding- is closely practised, is to have the 

 sires and dams as far removed from each other in 

 blood relationship as possible, and at the same time 

 to scrupulously weed out all inferior animals below 

 the standard of type aimed at. The world-famed 

 Border Leicester flock at Mertoun is an example 

 of what success can be attained by the principle of 

 in-and-in breeding, when conducted on scientific lines. 



In breeding harness horses. Hackneys, and hunters 

 for average all-round wear, the sires should always 

 be finer and higher bred than the dams, while they 

 should not in ordinary circumstances be consan- 

 guineous. If this exceedingly important matter is 

 neglected, the progeny may be less symmetrical, with 

 soft, comatose temperaments and delicate constitu- 

 tions. 



Mares and stallions of the very best stamp should 

 be carefully selected for breeding purposes, as good 

 stock can never be produced from commonplace, in- 

 different sires and dams. They should be thoroughly 

 sound, with good constitutions and temperaments, 

 symmetrically formed, and free from every peculiar 

 cicatrice or malformation ; although, even with the 

 greatest care, a htstis natnrce occasionally happens. 



Some breeders breed from any kind of stock with 

 a nonchalance which, if not quite ignorance, is the 

 twin brother to it. Thus, the fifty per cent, of 

 unsound horses we see around us are largely ac- 



