BREEDING IN THE LINE. 119 



CHAPTEE IX. 



Bkeeding in the Line. 



The preferable style of breeding for the great majori- 

 ty of farmers to adopt, is neither to cross, nor to breed 

 from close aflSnities, (except in rare instances and for 

 some specific and clearly understood purpose,) but to 

 breed in the line, that is, select the breed or race best 

 adapted to fulfill the requirements demanded, whether 

 it be for the dairy, for labor or for beef in cattle, or for 

 such combination of these as can be had without too 

 great sacrifice of the principal requisite ; whether for 

 fine wool as a primary object and for meat as a sec- 

 ondary one, or for mutton as a primary and wool for a 

 secondary object, and then procure a pure bred male of 

 the kind determined on, and breed him to the females 

 of the herd or of the flock ; and if these be not such as 

 are calculated to develop his qualities, endeavor by 

 purchase or exchange to procure such as will. Let the 

 progeny of these be bred to another pure bred male of 

 the same breed, but as distantly related to the first as 

 may be. Let this plan be steadily pursued, and al- 

 though we cannot, without the intervention of well bred 

 ll» 



