200 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



"We might run into almost numberless refinements, or theories, 

 touching subordinate particulars of sire or dam, without reaching 

 any well defined or accurate result ; but when we say that our 

 preliminary rules must be steadfastly adhered to, and after that, 

 to breed from the best sires, in their outward appearance, to be 

 obtained, and good pedigrees attached to them, the main point 

 of the object is accomphshed. 



There is one question touching the improvement, as well as of 

 maintaining stock in their wonted excellence, in which much 

 controversy has for many years existed, viz.: the advantages or 

 policy of breeding from affinities, more or less near in blood and 

 consanguinity, called 



" IN-AND-IN BREEDING." 



Perhaps there is no better place to touch upon it than here. 

 In the improvement and working up to their present degree of 

 perfection, the several races of domestic animals which have 

 attracted the attention of modern stock breeders, we find that 

 the most remarkable and successful results, so far as concerned 

 the outward form, internal structure, and productive power of 

 the animals, have been derived from this system. History, so 

 far as we know it, so instructs us. In order to perfectly under- 

 stand it, we briefly state the premises. 



We throw out of the question the absurd proposition enter- 

 tained by some, that any one of the present well established 

 breeds of cattle, have been formed by crossing those of divers 

 strange breeds upon each other. Such has not been the case in 

 any long established breeds with which we are familiar. In the 

 history of those breeds, we have seen that with one or two 

 exceptions, tliey have existed from time immemorial in their 

 own distinct characters and varieties, and that they have been 

 improved from the Mood of themselves alone. That question 

 noeds no further discussion. The only question now is, as to the 



