Chap. XXI. FAVOUKABLE CIRCUMSTANCES. 235 



remarked, of the selection of slight individual differences. 

 Hence the closest attention, the sharpest powers of observation, 

 and indomitable perseverance, are indispensable. It is, also, 

 highly important that many individuals of the breed which is to 

 be improved should be raised ; for thus there will be a better 

 chance of the appearance of variations in the right direction, 

 and individuals varying in an unfavourable manner may be 

 freely rejected or destroyed. But that a large number of indi- 

 viduals should be raised, it is necessary that the conditions of 

 life should favour the propagation of the species. Had the 

 peacock been bred as easily as the fowl, we should probably 

 ere this have had many distinct races. We see the importance 

 of a large number of plants, from the fact of nursery garden- 

 ers almost always beating amateurs in the exhibition of new 

 varieties. In 1845 it was estimated 41 that between 4000 and 

 5000 pelargoniums were annually raised from seed in EDg- 

 land, yet a decidedly improved variety is rarely obtained. 

 At Messrs. Carter's grounds, in Essex, where such flowers as 

 the Lobelia, Nemophila, Mignonette, &c, are grown by the 

 acre for seed, " scarcely a season passes without some new kinds 

 being raised, or some improvement effected on old kinds. 42 At 

 Kew, as Mr. Beaton remarks, where many seedlings of common 

 plants are raised, " you see new forms of Laburnums, Spiraeas, 

 and other shrubs." 43 So with animals: Marshall, 4 ^ in speaking 

 of the sheep in one part of Yorkshire, remarks, " as they belong- 

 to poor people, and are mostly in small lots, they never can 

 be improved." Lord Bivers, when asked how he succeeded in 

 always having first-rate greyhounds, answered, " I breed many, 

 and hang many." This, as another man remarks, " was the secret 

 of his success ; and the same will be found in exhibiting fowls, 

 — successful competitors breed largely, and keep the best." 45 



It follows from this that the capacity of breeding at an early 

 age and at short successive intervals, as with pigeons, rabbits, 

 &c, facilitates selection ; for the result is thus soon made visible, 

 and perseverance in the work is encouraged. It can hardly be 



41 ' Gardener's Chronicle,' 1845, p. « < Cottage Gardener/ 1860, p. 368. 

 273. 44 i± Review of Reports/ 1808, p. 



42 ' Journal of Horticulture/ 1862, p. 406. 



157. 45 « Gardener's Chronicle,' 1853, p. 45. 



