104 PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 



Mr. Walker also holds that where the parents are not 

 only of the same variety but of the same family in the 

 narrowest sense, the female always gives the locomo- 

 tive system and the father the nutritive ; in which case 

 the progeny is necessarily inferior to the parents. 



A careful consideration of the subject brings us to 

 the following conclusions, viz : 



That in general practice, with the grades and mixed 

 animals common in the country, close breeding should be 

 scrupulously avoided as highly detrimental. It is better 

 always to avoid breeding from near affinities whenever 

 stock-getters of the same breed and of equal merit can 

 be obtained which are not related. Yet, where this is 

 not possible, or where there is some desirable and 

 clearly defined purpose in view, as the fixing and per- 

 petuating of some valuable quality in a particular animal 

 not common to the breed, and the breeder possesses 

 the knowledge and skill needful to accomplish his pur- 

 pose, and the animals are perfect in health and- develop- 

 ment, close breeding may be practiced with advantage. 



