On tJie Feeding of Stock. 
241 
•get rid of a certain restlessness of temperament ; whilst the back, 
loins, <feneral shape, and skin might with advantage take after 
the ram, but not the size. 
On contrasting this theory and these objects with the results 
attained, it would appear that the influence of the male was on 
the whole more preponderating than accorded well with either. 
One heavy-chested ram used but for one season left his stamp 
very satisfactorily impressed on the fore-quarters of nearly all his 
progeny. The sire's influence on the head was not marked 
in this instance, because ram and ewes were not dissimilar in 
this respect ; but when other rams with peculiar heads have been 
used, they have influenced the head of the lambs so much, that 
it is an almost certain index of the pedigree on the father's side. 
The Hampshire rams, again, differed much in temperament 
from the native race. They were sufficiently composed to come 
out from the ewes' fold in the morning and eat oilcake outside, 
and kept up their condition when the Norfolk ram would have 
shrunk in flesh and pined. Their stock, likewise, show a great 
change in temperament, being no longer restless or reluctant to 
be confined within yards or hurdles, and this change is naturally 
attended by a greater disposition to fatten at an early age. 
So far, therefore, the influence of the ram seems to prevail in 
the nervous system of the lamb ; and this was a gain in the 
instance under consideration ; but it is questionable whether 
we can so distinguish between the vital and the nervOus system 
as to hope that the old vigour of constitution may be retained 
unimpaired, in connexion with a modified and more placid tem- 
perament. All that influence which Mr. Spooner assigns to the 
sire seemed generally to be exerted in our flocks, especially with 
regard to size, — a merit so much esteemed in our district, that 
it has been necessary to return to the east for rams, and to trust 
to the Hampshire blood now existing in the ewes for such 
change of constitution as seems desirable. 
Mr. Spooner observes upon the unreasonableness of rejecting 
a good sheep for a few spots in its face ; but local feeling out- 
strips philosophy, and is besides sometimes built upon a true 
inkling which it cannot well explain, but cannot put aside. If 
Shropshire rams were introduced among us we might find too 
late that the white spots on the face were signs of a cross in the 
blood which had introduced a fuller habit of body and a more 
lymphatic temperament, favourable for early fattening, but ill 
suited to the climate of the bleak East. 
But further attempt to penetrate the mysteries of breeding 
would be better adapted to a special paper on that subject, and 
to a writer of large and long experience in breeding. It is un- 
fortunate that those who are best informed are, not unnaturally, 
VOL. XXI. R 
