214 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



show themselves sooner or later in the progeny. It is for this 

 reason that we should not breed from an animal, however excel- 

 lent, unless we can ascertain it to be what is called well bred; 

 that is, descended from a race of ancestors, who have, through 

 several generations, possessed, in a high degree, the properties 

 which it is our object to obtain. 



"If a breed cannot be improved, or even continued in the 

 deo-ree of perfection at which it has already arrived, but by breed- 

 ing from individuals so selected as to correct each other's defects, 

 and by a judicious combination of their different properties, (a 

 position, I believe, that will not be denied,) it follows that ani- 

 mals must degenerate, by being long bred from the same family, 

 without the intermixture of any other blood, or from being what 

 is technically called bred in-and-in. 



"Breeding is sometimes done with father and daughter, and 

 mother and son. Tliis is not what I consider as breeding in-and- 

 in; for the daughter is only half of the same blood as the father, 

 and will probably partake, in a small degree, of the properties of 

 the mother. 



"Mr. Meynel sometimes bred from brother and sister. This 

 is certainly what may be called a little close; but should they 

 both be very good, and, particularly, should the same defects not 

 predominate in both, but the perfections of the one promise to 

 correct in the produce the imperfections of tlie other, I do not 

 think it objectionable. 



" Mr. Bakewell had certainly the merit of destroying the absurd 

 prejudice which formerly prevailed against breeding from animals 

 between whom there was any degree of relationship. Had this 

 opinion been universally acted upon, no one could have been said 

 to be possessed of a particular breed, good or bad ; for the pro- 

 duce of one year would have been dissimilar to that of another, 

 and wo should have availed ourselves but little of an animal of 

 superior merit, that we might have had the good fortune to 

 possess. 



