CHAPTER XIV. 



BREEDING AND CROSSING. 



INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS— .QUALITIES OF A GOOD MUTTON 

 SHEEP— QUALITIES OF PURE BRITISH BREEDS— LEICESTER— SOUTH 

 DOWN— CHEVIOT.tc— REMARKS ON THEIR CCLTIVATION— IN-AND- 

 IN BREEDING— CROSSING— BREEDING REGISTER- INFLUENCE OP 

 SEX— GOOD POINTS OF A MERINO AND SAXON— TUPPING SEASON. 



INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 



There is no department connected with the management of 

 every description of stock of such paramount importance as 

 the one we are about to consider ; and comparative success 

 or failure must depend in a measure on the degree of knowl- 

 edge of physiological principles the breeder may possess, to- 

 gether with that information acquired by perseverance, and 

 close and discriminating observation. Those principles 

 which form the basis of successful stock breeding are not 

 wholly the results of scientific investigation, but in part by 

 having the particular points to be added or changed in the 

 form and fleece well defined in the mind, a ready perception 

 of minute blemishes as well as good points, and indefatiga- 

 ble attentions in management in every regard. The breed- 

 er acts on that general law of nature, that " like produces 

 like," a knowledge of the anatomical structure of the animal, 

 with a thorough acquaintance of its habits ; but art or skill is 

 equally necessary to make everything available to his pur- 

 pose. So it is an union of art and science which forms the 

 perfectly successful breeder. 



The jostling incident to a redundant population necessarily 

 begets excessive competition in every department of industry, 

 which sets invention at work, and wit accordingly is sharp- 

 ened to aid in every enterprise. Hence, in England, to sup- 

 port her numerous subjects, everything is brought into requi 



