BRITISH TURF. 527 



they adduce many instances of its success, against 

 the mere theory of its opponents. Among these 

 instances are Flying Childers, and many of our best 

 racers from his time up the present day ; the case 

 also of George IV's favourite mare, Maria, being 

 particularly dwelt on, her produce by Rubens and 

 Soothsayer being worthless, while that by Water- 

 loo and Rainbow, both closely allied to her, proved 

 winners. 



We think the following opinion of Mr. Hankey 

 Smith, on this subject, particularly to the point. 

 This inteUigent writer, who resided a considerable 

 period among the Arabs, and neglected no oppor- 

 tunity of obtaining information, remarks in his 

 work called " Observations on Breeding for the 

 Turf," that " colts bred in-and-in, show more 

 blood in their heads, are of better form, are fit to 

 start with fewer sweats than others ; but when 

 the breed is continued incestuous for three or four 

 crosses, the animal degenerates." 



It must be understood, however, that by breed- 

 ing in-and-in, this writer does not mean breeding 

 from brother and sister, or from a mare with her 

 own sire, but " after the first cross, to return to 

 original blood." 



Contrary to the practice pursued with other 

 sorts, blood mares are put to the horse very early 

 in the year, the object being that their produce 

 may be dropped as soon as possible in the com- 

 mencement of a new year ; as, according to the 



