108 Domestic ANIMALS. 
VL 
IMPROVEMENT OF BREEDS. 
Like produces like, 
I._SELECTION. 
\. ITH such examples before us as are furnished 
, by the English Race Horse, the Durham Cow, 
and the South-Down sheep, where shall we 
ys ; place limits to the improvability of our various 
domestic animals? The ameliorations through 
which fied improved breeds have been established were not 
accidental, They took place according to the fixed laws of 
animal life, brought to bear by the intelligence of man upon 
special points and for special objects. Other breeds even bet- 
ter than these may be produced by similar means, Bakewell, 
Calley, Seabright, Jaques, Knight, and other distinguished 
breeders and improvers of stock, have made use of no patented 
or secret process. What they have done, any intelligent farmer 
may do by the use of the same easily available means. To 
furnish a few hints in reference to these means is the purpose 
of this chapter. 
In setting about originating a new breed of any particular 
species of animal, the first grand point is the selection of sire 
and dam. This must be made with reference to the particular 
qualities to which you desire to give prominence, as well as to 
the general excellence of constitution, form, and disposition 
which should distinguish the species. Thus Colonel Jaques, 
in originating the Cream-Pot breed of cows, already referred 
to, had the dairy and not the butcher in view, and took his 
measures accordingly. The results of a continued selection of 
