256 Epidemics. 



kinds ; at least, if in flavour inferior, yet in size or pro- 

 ductiveness superior to old stock. 



Our glass or frame products scarcely admit comparison, 

 for in the eighteenth century they were cultivated by 

 amateurs as luxuries in this country, but now as necessary 

 appendages to ordinary gardening, and also to supply a 

 constant and increasing demand in the market. 



Our poultry, cattle, sheep, and horses have undergone an 

 equally remarkable transition, and probably ere long their 

 food, in the form of cereals, roots, and bulbs, have under- 

 gone, and will undergo, an almost similar transition, down 

 to our grasses and clovers. 



Here we are opposed by men of science. What has 

 crossing done for horned cattle ? Observe the Teesdale 

 short-horned cattle first improved* from Holland, again 

 from our native wild stock, and thirdly from crossing with 

 certain of our native domestic breeds. Is not crossing a 

 direct improvement, purely the result of observation and 

 close induction ? 



Again, is our racer the same now as in days of yore ? 

 Has he not more stature, muscle, length of stride, and, for 

 age, much greater endurance than a hundred years ago ? 

 And has not Godolphin sternly held our blood pure, though 

 the Barbary breed was blended with his at the start ? 

 Granted ; and all subsequent crossing. But here has not 

 the crossing been, not with fresh imported pure Arab, which 

 is much needed, but with different removes of pedigree from 

 the same great sire, Godolphin ? 



Our roadster, hunter, carriage horse, and draught horse 

 are they not all at this day in a state of transition ? What 

 breed, or cross of breeds, stands the chase the best ? What 

 kind stands our roads without shaky fetlocks and faltering 

 knees ? Are we as yet settled with any special stock ? Have 

 not all points to be selected, interspersed with some abomi- 



