246 Breedht^ In a?id In 



't> 



of the same race, though it may be stationary as to place 

 where it is kept, the best and most promising (of both 

 sexes) for breeders which should have no intercourse 

 with inferior sheep, would effect the purpose. I could 

 enumerate many instances (some very recent) occurring 

 under my own observation and that of others, in my own 

 and neighbours uock's, where interchanging our sheep 

 with distant farmers, for one or two seasons, has, in a most 

 evident degree, materially improved the subjects of such 

 changes, in fleece and every other respect. But where 

 the parent stock is confined to a few, kept for a length 

 of time on the same spot ; I never could, with all the 

 care I could take, prevent degeneracy in the full-blood- 

 ed progeny of the direct line, after a few descents, the 

 number of such descents being uncertain ; and not go- 

 verned, as to this effect, by any fixed rules. The dete- 

 rioration frequently, but not always, shews itself in the 

 third or fourth descent ; when, in the same number, 

 the blood, size and fleece, brought up by judicious 

 crossings, are approaching to perfection. It has been 

 almost invariably so, in cases falling under my obser- 

 vation ; and these have been numerous. To some of 

 thiose \vho are of a contrary opinion, I am ready to yield, 

 in doubtful, speculative, or abstract questions ; but I 

 cannot, in this, be so compliant, as to abandon the re- 

 peated evidence of my senses. 



Richard Peters. 

 Jujie Sth, 1810. 



I never heard of any difficulties or accidents in z/f^/zz;?^, oc- 

 curring with Tunis ewes. They are broad and roomy in the 

 quarters ; stand wide on their hind legs, and, being strong 

 and healthy, they have easy birtlis. R» P« 



