BREEDING OF FARM STOCK. 
295 
blood. I have, by repeated experiments, experienced by the nearer affinities 
of blood the most decided disappointment, but have raised some first-rate 
animals by putting together the third removes when attention had been 
previously paid to the sort required.” 
In the former case the ram A stands in the relationship of 
sire to the two sheep to be bred together ; in the latter case 
he stands as grandsire to both. In this way, by diverging 
from a favorite sheep, we again converge, and probably 
produce one or more sheep of the utmost value to that flock, 
as presenting some distance in relationship without any 
sacrifice of family merit. 
With all the advantages derivable from breeding stock 
with good pedigree and great fixity of character, we find that 
not only are good qualities thus concentrated and rendered 
hereditary, but also others of less desirable character which 
may have been possessed by the parents. Thus we have in 
many cases a delicacy of constitution and a want of energy in 
the system, which is too commonly looked upon as a neces¬ 
sary result of high breeding, but I am inclined to believe that 
these results are much more referable to the system of 
management pursued. The delicacy imparted to stock by 
too much protection through the winter months in warm 
sheds and buildings, whereby they get glossy coats, ill pre¬ 
pared to resist atmospheric influences when they are turned 
out to grass in the spring, render such stock peculiarly 
delicate. This delicacy, when continued for several suc¬ 
cessive generations, becomes constitutional and hereditary. 
A moderate exposure to the cold of winter and plenty of 
exercise will enable cattle of the purest breed to keep a good, 
rough coat, and although they may need more food, still this 
is a sacrifice perfectly insignificant in comparison to the 
advantages gained by strengthening and invigorating the 
system, instead of fostering a relaxed and enervated condition 
of body. Well-bred cattle reared in this hardy manner 
possess far more vigorous systems, and it should be remem¬ 
bered that whilst we concentrate in our stock valuable powers 
of hereditary transmission, these only become available in 
proportion as we preserve in them that vigour of health which 
will enable them to communicate these influences. The 
capability of stock for breeding is much reduced by the 
enfeebled condition of the body induced by rendering them 
delicate. This unfavorable influence is seriously increased 
by the general course of management now adopted, and the 
evil accumulates in a greater degree with every successive 
generation. An excessive quantity of fat in either of the 
parents is also unfavorable to the exercise of the breeding 
