OPINIONS DIFFER. 71 



well-formed large ram be put to ewes proportionally 

 smaller, the lambs will not be so well shaped as their 

 parents ; but, if a small ram be put to larger ewes, the 

 lambs will be of an improved form." " The improve- 

 ment depends on the principle that the power of the 

 female to supply her offspring with nourishment is in 

 proportion to her size, and to the power of nourishing 

 herself from the excellence of her constitution : as 

 larger animals eat more, the larger female may afford 

 most nourishment to her young." 



This should, I am inclined to think, be regarded as 

 another principle of breeding, that, when improvement 

 in form is desired, the size of the female selected 

 should be proportionally larger than the male ; though 

 Lord Spencer, a successful breeder, strongly contested 

 it, and Mr. Dickson, an excellent judge of stock, advised 

 the attempt to build up a new breed by selecting some 

 Zetland cows, a very diminutive breed of Scotch cattle, 

 of good symmetry, points, arid handling, and a high-bred 

 West Highland bull to put to them. " The produce 

 would probably be/' says he, " a neat, handsome little 

 animal, of a medium size, between the two breeds. The 

 shaggy hide, long horns, symmetry, and fine points, of 

 the West Highlanders, would be imparted to this cross, 

 which would not only be a good feeder and very hardy, 

 but the beef of superior quality. The great point 

 would, of course, be the proper selection of breeding ani- 

 mals. The next step towards improving this would be 

 the crossing of these crosses with a pure Hereford bull, 

 which would improve the size, and impart still finer 

 points, more substance, with greater aptitude to fatten. 

 By combining these favorite breeds, the produce would, 

 in all probability, be very superior, not only attaining 

 to good weights, but feeding well, and arriving at 

 maturity at an early age. The breeder must not be 



