BREEDING FARM STOCK. 
293 
through the substance of all the organs, constituting what is 
called the measles in pork. The creation of these must be 
referred to an epocha posterior to that of the species in which 
they are found, as they do not exist in its natural wild state. 
For further information on this disease in the domestic 
pig, consult the works of Blumenbach, who has given mag- 
nified views of the animalculae. 
My experience for the last thirty years has proved the 
statement given in my last article on this subject, and con- 
firmed by the breeding experiments of Mr. Marsh, of Rytan, 
Northumberland, who gave me a very vivid description at 
the Newcastle-on-Tyne Agricultural show, in the year 1846, 
of his having put a son to his mother in the production of 
pigs, and the appalling malformation — the result of such 
connection. I had previously been confirmed in my view 
of such improper connection by Mr. Edward Owen, of Lewis- 
ham, in the year 1830; and for years previous to that period 
I had observed that, if it was not proper offspring from the 
same parents should be connected in marriage, neither ought 
the offspring from two brothers or two sisters. My views on 
this subject were published in the year 1832, in ‘Baxter’s 
Library of Agricultural Knowledge,” under the head Cattle, 
Sheep, and their Diseases. In this same work appears Mr. 
Ellman’s Observation on Sheep Breeding, who says, “Be 
not too partial to your own sheep, as it has operated much in 
preventing many from making improvements in their flocks ; 
save your rams from the cross of a hired ram superior to 
your own. In no case should ewes be used for breeding 
that possess any hereditary disease ; without due attention 
to avoiding disease, it will increase in the progeny.” 
Sir John Sinclair gave much attention to breeding ani- 
mals ; in his work are the following remarks on breeding 
in-and-in , or putting animal of near relationship together : — 
“ If the system be followed up, the stock gets tender and 
delicate, and though they may retain their shape and beauty, 
they will decrease in size, constitution, and activity ; will 
become lean and dwarfish, and ultimately be unable to con- 
tinue the race. The instances of this are numerous. The 
celebrated breeder, Princep, found the decrease in size un- 
avoidable, and in spite of all his endeavours, by keeping 
his stock well, to prevent it. This, among many other in- 
stances which we could mention, were it necessary, proves 
how unprofitable such connections are. It has been re- 
marked that those farmers have in general the worst flocks 
who breed from rams produced on their own farms, and that 
an interchange of males is mutually beneficial. 
XXVII. 
39 
