CROSS BREEDING. 121 



means of living are so easily obtained, the marriages are 

 early, and the families are large; and in addition to our na- 

 tive population, we have a very large recruiting to it an- 

 nually by young and vigorous immigrants. Of course any 

 natural law applies to all kinds of animals, and as regards 

 sheep, most easily increased by prosperity as well as by 

 misfortune, the law prevails with them to the fullest ex- 

 tent. 



With our domesticated auiinals it is the number of fe- 

 males, and the vigor of the males, by which the rate of in- 

 crease is determined and governed; so that the flock which 

 is coupled with young rams has been found to be more pro- 

 lific of ewe lambs than that served by old rams. This has 

 been made a subject for accurate experiment in France, and 

 the results have been shown directly in the line here pointed 

 out. For instance, a flock of ewes served by rams less than 

 eighteen mouths old brought 35 male lambs and 76 females. 

 Of the produce, that from four year old ewes amounted to 

 5 males and 21 females. Of two year old ewes the produce 

 was about two females to one male*. On the other hand, 

 ewes served by four year old rams brought 54 males and 31 

 females; of the three year old ewes the produce was about 

 evenly divided, but of two and four-year-olds the male lambs 

 were more than twice the number of the females. 



This result has been noted in ordinary flocks, and it goes 

 to show that if this rule is absolute, which we may readily 

 conclude and admit, as it is based on a. well known natural 

 law, which is operative under nil circumstances, and founded 

 on all reasonable probability, the breeder may turn it to 

 his own special advantage, as may be so fitted and most ap- 

 plicable to the nature of his pursuit. The breeder of rams 

 may largely increase the value of his produce by the greater 

 number of salable stock, while the shepherd desiring num- 

 ber without regard to anything but permanent increase, mny 

 guide himself in conformity to this rule. 



CROSS BREEDING. 



In cross breeding, the shepherd or special breeder as 

 well, is hn mlling very sharp-edged tools, as the saying goes. 

 He is entering on the most intricate part of the business. 

 But as it is safe to use such tools when they are handled 



