108 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



VI. 



IMPROVEMENT OP BREEDS. 



Like produces like, 



I. SELECTION. 



ITH such examples before us as are furnished 

 by the English Race Horse, the Durham Cow, 

 and the South-Down sheep, where shall we 

 place limits to the improvability of our various 

 domestic animals? The ameliorations through 

 which these improved breeds have been established were not 

 accidental. They took place according to the fixed laws of 

 animal life, brought to bear by the intelligence of man upon 

 special points and for special objects. Other breeds even bet- 

 ter than these may be produced by similar means. Bakewell, 

 Culley, Seabright, Jaques, Knight, and other distinguished 

 breeders and improvers of stock, have made use of no patented 

 or secret process. "What they have done, any intelligent farmer 

 may do by the use of the same easily available means. To 

 furnish a few hints in reference to these means is the purpose 

 of this chapter. 



In setting about originating a new breed of any particular 

 species of animal, the first grand point is the selection of sire 

 and dam. This must be made with reference to the particular 

 qualities to which you desire to give prominence, as well as to 

 the general excellence of constitution, form, and disposition 

 which should distinguish the species. Thus Colonel Jaques, 

 in originating the Cream-Pot breed of cows, already referred 

 to, had the dairy and not the butcher in view, and took his 

 measures accordingly. The results of a continued selection of 



