118 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



which we have brought it without the slightest liability to alter. 

 Many farmers believe they have done all that is required, if 

 they subject their stock to three or four crossings. They think 

 that the improved animals they have obtained, will support the 

 acquired characters uninfluenced by extraneous agency. Now 

 no idea could be more erroneous, nothing more faulty than this 

 mode of management. Clianges in fact by crossing are not to 

 be effected in a short space of time ; it will require years of 

 constant exertion to alter a flock ; the progeny of most domes- 

 ticated animals often bear a striking resemblance to the grand- 

 father or grandmother, and it is well known tliat the desired 

 changes cannot be effected on a breed, or that the desired breed 

 cannot be produced till the third, fourth, or even the fifth crossing, 

 so that the importance of having few defects in a breeding stock 

 will be readily admitted. The question of " breeding in and 

 in," or from animals with near affinities, is somewliat an open 

 one in England. "We believe the inexpediency of it is univer- 

 sally acknowledged in this country, and our limits will not 

 admit the arguments adduced by either side. On the part of 

 those who favor the practice, it amounts to this, that they can 

 make selections of more perfect animals from which to breed, by 

 continuing in the same flock, but that it requires the nicest 

 judgment to do it successfully, and not impair the constitution, 

 or diminish some valuable quality, which the opponents to the 

 system on the other hand, maintain must inevitably be the 

 consequence of continuing the practice. 



There is a direct pecuniary advantage in judicious cross- 

 breeding; increased size, a disposition to fatten early, fecundity, 

 ■ and early maturity are thereby induced. Many farmers are 

 contented with the first cross as possessing all these qualities, 

 and sell all their laml)s ; the great objection to this course is 

 that it makes the necessity of selling out each year, and buying 

 in anew, — never renewing from one's own flock, but dependent 

 on others, which is wrong in principle. This is sometimes done 

 with the South Down and Merino, and very good lambs are 

 procured, but they cannot be successfully continued in l)reed- 

 ing ; any attempt to engraft the South Down permanently on to 

 the Merino will eventually fail ; there is not sufficient affinity 

 of constitution between the improvers, and those we Avish to 

 improve. If two animals very different in their qualities are 



