24 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



that the first fruits of a judicious cross may be very profitable 

 and valuable ; but if these fruits are at once indiscriminately 

 commingled, the poorer qualities of either parent may at once 

 gain the ascendency, and the benefits of the first crossing may 

 be entirely destroyed. This may also be done by an injudicious 

 cross, brought into the herd from blood of another strain. Let 

 me illustrate. If I had a dozen cows sired by Kirkleavington, 

 and I found that the cross had many valuable qualities, which 

 I wished to perpetuate and develop more fully, I should have 

 more confidence in the ability of a good bull, distantly related to 

 Kirkleavington, to improve my stock still further, than I should 

 in a bull having no connection whatever with this family. These 

 views differ somewhat, I know, from some modern theories ; 

 but I know of no better rule for the production of uniform 

 excellence, and the ultimate production of powers worthy of 

 transmission. We have so little pure breeding in this country, 

 and so much time has been wasted by incessant crossing, that 

 perhaps the rule laid down would be more advantageous to us, 

 than to breeders who can avail themselves of selections of pure 

 blood at any time and from large supplies. In adopting this 

 principle, moreover, it should be satisfactorily ascertained that 

 the qualities obtained are valuable, and worthy of transmission. 

 The following remarks, from a writer on cattle in the " Library 

 of Useful Knowledge," although differing somewhat from the 

 foregoing, and although often quoted, are so useful, that they 

 are well worthy of insertion in every treatise o* breeding. He 

 says : — 



" At the outset of his career the farmer should have a clear and 

 determined conception of the object which he wishes to accomplish. 

 He should consider the nature of his farm ; the quality, abundance or 

 deficiency of his pasturage, the character of the soil, the seasons of the 

 year when he will have plenty, or deficiency of food, the locality of his 

 farm, the market to which he has access, and the produce which can be 

 disposed of with the greatest profit ; and these things will at once point 

 to him the breed he should be solicitous to obtain. The man of wealtli 

 and patriotism may have more extensive views, and nobly look to the 

 general improvement of cattle ; but the farmer, with his limited means, 

 and with the claims that press upon him, regards his cattle as a valuable 

 portion of his own little property, and on which every thing should 

 appear to be in natural keeping, and be turned to the best advantage. 



