NECESSITY OF ATTENTION TO IT. 133 



that, as to the form of the produce, no exception 

 could be taken. They were clever as their parents, 

 resembling them also in nose and instinct, but 

 decidedly deficient in courage, less hardy in con. 

 stitution, and wanting in robustness of limb and 

 frame. As far, therefore, as my own experience 

 has led me, breeding in-and-in has proved a com- 

 plete failure, lacking those great essentials to the 

 character of sporting dogs — courage, stoutness, and 

 good constitution — -without which the most per- 

 fectly-formed hounds, greyhounds, or pointers are 

 little worth. 



The science (for it is a science) of breeding 

 animals successfully, whether in reference to 

 cattle, horses, or dogs, is comparatively little 

 understood, and requires much more study and 

 attention than is often bestowed upon it by 

 agriculturists and sportsmen generally. Although 

 since the establishment of agricultural societies 

 farmers have been stimulated to greater exertions, 

 and a more strict inquiry into animal economy, 

 still the science and practical knowledge of pro- 

 ducing bullocks, sheep, or even pigs of first-rate 

 quality, considering the numbers now embarked 

 in the enterprise, is confined to a small number ; 

 and on one point I am well assured, that the 

 handsomest herd of cattle, or the cleverest pack 



