198 THE HORSE 



size, more largely than does the sire. When animals 

 which are similar are united, it is probable that the 

 same principle holds true to a limited extent. Then 

 it would seem wise to select, when possible, dams of 

 good size those of large lungs, heart and viscera 

 capacity even though they may not be as close -made 

 or of as fine outward form as is desired in the offspring. 

 It may be confidently expected that, if a smooth, 

 symmetrical, moderate -sized stallion be united with 

 such a mare, the progeny will be far better as to endur- 

 ance, beauty and potency than if the characteristics of 

 the sire and dam were reversed. The practice of breed- 

 ing large, even mammoth stallions, to small, unsym- 

 metrical, unsound mares or to "any old thing," has 

 done more to arrest improvement which should have 

 been secured from the many good, home-bred and 

 imported stallions than any other one thing, possibly 

 than all other adverse causes combined. 



THE GOVERNING OF SEX 



The facts observed by many reputable breeders of 

 domestic animals lead to the following conclusion, 

 that the most vigorous, the most prepotent parent at the 

 time of conception is more likely to govern the sex of 

 the offspring than the less vigorous parent. This is 

 only saying that the stronger is superior to the weaker; 

 but this general law can be discovered only by being 

 put to an extensive test, such as when a large number 

 of animals are bred under similar conditions. Some 

 extended experiments in France indicate that, when 



