292 
BREEDING OF FARM STOCK. 
this Society (vol. xiv, p. 214), from M. Malingre-Nouel, 
bearing upon this subject. He introduced into France some 
of our choicest English rams for the improvement of the 
native breeds of sheep, but the lambs obtained were in no 
way improved by their use. By long-continued breeding in 
and in, the French ewes had hereditary tendencies far more 
powerful than those of the English rams, which rendered the 
influence of the latter quite inoperative. As soon, however, 
as some ewes were obtained by crossing different native breeds, 
the hereditary power became reduced to a very low degree, 
and the lambs subsequently produced by the English rams 
partook so closely of the character of the sires that they were 
considered by good English judges to have been pure-bred 
sheep from England. 
For the economical production of beef the best stock will 
be obtained from good useful dairy cows by the use of bulls 
of thoroughly good pedigree, Indeed, I may observe that a 
bull can scarcely be too well bred or too good for such a pur¬ 
pose, provided that the natural vigour of the system be not 
sacrificed. The quality and influence of a bull determines 
the value of a large number of bullocks, and it becomes a 
matter of considerable importance to the breeder thus to 
impart to these a superior feeding character. When this 
influence is fully appreciated we shall not find bulls valued 
as so much beef, but rather as the communicators of certain 
feeding qualities which will render their numerous offspring 
either profitable or unprofitable to the grazier. In the case 
of sheep, a good supply of milk materially affects the value of 
the lambs; and too much care cannot be taken to preserve 
and encourage this excellent disposition. Combined with 
this the ewes should also possess hardy constitutions, and 
thus be capable of rearing healthy and thriving lambs. The 
ram should regulate the increase of quality, which must be 
discreetly governed by the local peculiarities of climate. The 
parentage of the ram should be investigated with equal if not 
greater care than his symmetry and general quality. 
There is no variation from these rules even in the breeding 
of pigs. Here let the boar be distinguished by good quality 
and careful breeding, and the sow able to rear a numerous 
progeny to a high degree of perfection. Thus will a class of 
stock be produced eminently adapted for the economical pro¬ 
duction of meat. 
Purity of Breed. 
The production of animals for maintaining and perpetuating 
the pure breeds is a course of practice distinct from either of 
