BREEDING OF FARM STOCK. 
293 
the preceding systems which we have noticed. In these the 
production of milk and meat respectively modified and regu¬ 
lated our proceedings, but for the present purpose we have 
to produce fixity of type, and to this end we must select 
animals possessing the same characteristics and the same 
affinities, that in each succeeding generation the same stamp 
may be the more deeply and indelibly impressed upon the 
offspring. When there is any bad point of character to be 
overcome it is only to be accomplished by persevering in the 
use of a parent having, if possible, an opposite tendency, or 
at least as little as may be of that which is objectionable, by 
which means the evil, if not subdued in the first generation, 
will be gradually corrected by judgment and perseverance. 
The subsequent course of procedure will aim at rendering 
the character thus acquired as permanent as possible. Every 
generation will have the special character of the breed more 
and more powerfully concentrated, and consequently will be 
more competent to render these qualities hereditary. We 
have before seen that the influence of the parent upon the 
offspring is dependent upon the relative powers possessed by 
each individual. In the case of pure-bred animals there 
should be no opposing influence to weaken the hereditary 
tendencies of the offspring, but on the other hand a con¬ 
current and sympathetic nature, so that the hereditary cha¬ 
racter may be confirmed and strengthened. Anything like 
a cross should be most jealously guarded against as intro¬ 
ducing a conflict of influences, which impairs the character 
of the race. 
It may, however, be said that if we do not get fresh blood 
we lose size in our stock. This sacrifice is greater in appear¬ 
ance than in reality, for presuming the opinion to be correct 
that the food consumed by animals of equal quality bears a 
regular proportion to their live weight, and there is good 
reason to believe that such is the case, then it is clear that the 
loss of size does not render the consumption of food less 
economical. This diminished size does not appear in any 
way to prejudice the stock produced when such sires are used 
with females of inferior quality having a good supply of milk. 
If we could breed in the same line and yet not lose size, it 
would be decidedly advantageous, This is a difficulty which 
the producer of pure breeding stock has to combat to the 
best of his judgment and discretion; but on no condition 
should size be gained by any stain in the pedigree. It were 
better to allow the diminished size to continue, for to main¬ 
tain it at the cost of pure descent w r ould be to sacrifice the 
main object in view. To meet any drawbacks attendant upon 
