The Southern field and fireside. (Augusta, Ga.) 1859-1864, September 17, 1859, Page 134, Image 6

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134 AGRICULTURAL. DANIEL LEE, Id. D., Editor. BATURDAT SEPTEMBER 17,1859. CONSANGUINEOUS BREEDING. We copy from the September number of the South'm Cultivator a well considered article on the much debated subject »f in-and-in breeding of domestic animals. The author of the essay appears to have read what some of the most celebrated English breeders have written in ex position of both their theories and practice for the improvement of their live stock; yet, with all duo deference, we must say that while he has come very near the truth, he has missed it, when he says “ the practice of in-and-in breed ing should be branded with unqualified repre hension, when the progeny are designed for breeders.” Having given some time to the in vestigation of hereditary blood in man and other mammalia, we will venture to point out the errors of those who are so ready to “ brand with un qualified reprehension” a purely physiological matter which they fail to comprehend. All the hereditary and constitutional mala dies, all the bodily infirmities, such as impotency, extreme delicacy, and feebleness of vital force, in either sex, which are generally ascribed to consanguineous intercourse, are more philosoph ically and satisfactorily accounted for by tracing them to other causes. Animal physiology fur nishes no sound reason for the assumption that God created more than a single pair of any exis ting species of the mammalia. If this Bible idea corresponds with the fact in the case, as the writer believes, the offspring of each pair, keeping within the lino of the species, must ever carry with it the same hereditary ancestral blood. Blood which did not originate in a com mon mother and a common father can at no point in the lifetime of a species be infused into the parental organs of a generation or an indi vidual, except by going most unnaturally out of the race for the same. Hence it follows,beyond dispute, that every pure species is of “one blood," no matter how long the lino of its progenitors.— Physiologists and naturalists may differ as to what shall form the essential characteristics of a genus, species and variety in the animal king dom; but they cannot well differ as to the unity of such as propagate their kind, like producing like, in endless succession. This view of living Na ture, founded on specific oneness, is fully sustain ed by the earliest records of our own race. It is immaterial in our argument whether wo have one species, five or ten in the genus homo; for in each, from the first pair, there must bo very close consanguineous intermarriage, as between Cain and Seth and their sisters. If there were several species in the beginning, white, black, copper-color Ac., and these at once given to each other in marriage, it is obvious that all unity of blood in each race would be immediately lost. A compound and mongrel mixture, debasing all alike, would inevitably result from such cross breeding. Without discussing the question of the unity of the human family, we give full credence to the recorded longevity of the im mediate progeny of Adam, and their descen dants, whose ages ranged from six hundred to nine hundred and sixty nine years. At no time since the Flood, when unscientific minds have been so anxious to escape the fatal witch craft which is supposed to follow the intermar riage of first cousins, have mankind reached an average of one half the years of the Antedilu vians. We are far from intimating that a de parture from closo family marriages has tended to shorten human life. Both extremes are to bo avoided, and are injurious mainly by diverting public attention from the true causes of congen ital diseases and deformities. These may be ei ther diminished, or aggravated during the life of each individual before he or she becomes a parent. Hence both improvement and deterio ration are not myths, but solid and enduring matters of fact. Sound parental blood never produces unsound blood in the veins of off spring, no matter how close the unity of the blood of both sexes. That which is pure in na ture, she never makes the source of corruption; for that would make nature destroy her own children, and soon cut off all living beings on the face of the earth. Live stock that has been overfed and kept close for several generations, lose that strength of muscle, sinew, bone and nerve, that vigor of digestion and procreation which characterize an imals taking full exercise, and never pampered. Wild cattle breed in the closest possible affini ties, and yet never become barren or otherwise injured thereby, as will be abundantly shown when we shall treat of stock-growing in detail. Animals of feeble health, or of diseased consti tutions, are not adapted to breeding purposes.— Soundness in all respects is of the highest im portance ; and this depends mainly on having pure air to breathe, pure water to drink, and a plenty of wholesome food to eat, with all pro per shelter and exercise. Excessively artificial feeding and breeding, cause the evils usually at tributed to in-and-in propagation. The children of the rich aristocracy of Europe, born of luxu rious parents, and reared like hot house plants under the influence of much unnatural excite ment and forcing, rarely display in after life, ei ther strength of body or intellectual powers equal to their advantages. The habits, customs, and education of parents and offspring affect their character, blood and constitutions infinite ly more than the accident of consanguinity in ancestors. Nothing is more common than for the popular mind to ascribe obvious effects, es epcially when they take the shape of weakness in vital force, impotency, or disease, to wrong causes. For unknown centuries, the bare touch of a king was deemed all sufficient to cure many serious maladies; and women have been put to death for the crime of being witclies in our own ■ 111 mWTMMMM YXS&D ID IXEESXMI* country. No one has ever proved it possible for in-and-in breeding to change a particle of blood in either parent which is to circulate in the system of their young. The wild cattle in Chillingham Park have been constantly breeding in the closest consanguinity for six or seven hundred years, without the slightest taint of constitutional deterioration. — All wild animals propagate more or less in a sim ilar manner, as do human savages ; and nature does not disown their offspring. These facts being incontrovertible, we must look to external influences operating on the growth and vital principle in animals and plants, for the causes which change them either for the better or for the worse. In transmitting life from one genera tion to another, nothing appears to be gained, nothing is lost; and therefore it is that like be gets like, instead of a being that is altogether unlike its parents. The useful science of preventing deformity and disease in man and his domesticated animals, is what we aim to commend to our numerous agricultural readers. To improve all, we have only to study and obey the laws of health and of life as they exist in individuals, in families, and in species. The tendency of both ancient and modern civilization has not been to lengthen, but to shorten human existence, and stimulate every sense into a keener sensibility. This ex cess of artificial excitement is at war with the highest interests of mankind, and may yet ex terminate all of woman born by causing the num ber of deaths to exceed the number of births in a decade or century. Why is it that so many of the first families in Virginia and other States, have declined, dete riorated and finally run out ? We remember to have seen the bovine aristocracy first imported by Mr. Clay, of Kentucky, the Patroon of Al bany, and others, whoso superior blood has been lost by cross-breeding, and bad management. — We shall hereafter enquire into the principles involved in breeding in the line, breeding up ward, and breeding downward, which last is the too common practice in this country; to avoid the imaginary evils of in-and-in procreation. To our view of animal life, nothing is more unnec essary and unwise than to dilute, and ultimate* jy destroy good blood, by mixing it wholly with that which is bad. How to work the badness out of blood, and never impair the quality of any that is at all improved, are points of great practical importance alike in man and brute. In the profound science of progress and vital change, every point of departure, whether as cending or descending, should bo the subject of careful analysis. —— INFORMATION WANTED. Can any of our agricultural friends inform us when the Fair of the Southern Central Agricul tural Society takes place. Wo know of a young fentleman who would like to attend provided he new when it took place. It has been customa ry to advertise such things, but if it has been advertised we have never seen it in Hart coun ty. Does the Society know that by keeping such information from the people, they lose hun dreds of dollars? We still insist that Hart coun ty is in Georgia, and Hart county ought to send a delegate to said Fair, and every man and wo man who is able ought to go. The Fair, we think, takes place some time in October or No vember. We have tried to get an exchange with some of our Southern Agricultural period icals, but as yet have failed. Hartwell (Ga .) Messenger, Sept. 7. The above hints about advertising agricultural Fairs arc needed at this time. We send tho Field and Fireside including all back numbers, to our contemporary; and by turning to number 7, July 9, it will be seen that the Fair at Atlanta commences October 24, and that Dr. James Camack, of Athens, is Secretary of the Society. % FS?" The first Annual Fair of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society for West Alabama, will be held in the town of Demopolis, Marengo county, on Tuesday, November Ist, 1859, and continue four days. D. F. Prout, Esq., corresponding Secretary of the Society, makes a strong appeal to the plan ters and other citizens of West Alabama, to bring forward their fine stock, and specimens of their skill in agricultural, horticultural, and me chanical industry, to compete for the twenty-five hundred dollars offered in premiums. Fair grounds have been purchased, and suitable build ings erected to accommodate the public. Indeed, it is rare that a new association starts under so favorable auspices. It gives us pleasure to say in this connection, that the State Agricultural Societies of Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, promise to hold very spirited and attractive exhibitions this fall.— Southern Agriculture is beginning to command a share of the consideration which it deserves. OLD FIELD WINTER PASTURES. Carlonville, Ala.. ) Aug. 31, 1859. J Dr. Lee — Dear Sir: In the Southern Field and Fireside of the 25tli of June, there is an ar ticle on Burnet. Can you inform me where I can obtain a bushel of seed, and at what price? I wish to know at what time it should be sowed. If “ our turned out old fields ” can be made to produce eatable forage for mules and cows du ring the winter and spring months, then is their value materially enhanced. Very respectfully, Bexj. Reynolds. It is doubtful whether a bushel of Burnet seed can be found in the United States, but it may be imported, and we are trying to procure it from London. Old fields can be made to yield winter forage for mules, cows, and sheep, by seeding them to winter perennial grasses. i— i»i A legal bushel of wheat weighs sixty pounds; beans sixty-three pounds; peas sixty-four; corn fifty-six; rye forty-six; barley forty-seven; oats thirty-eight; potatoes sixty ; salt eighty; timo- I thy seed fifty-six ; clover seed sixty pounds. THE TBTCAa FEVER AMONG THE CATTLE IN THE SOUTH-WEST. Fort Scott, K. T., Aug. 12, 1859. To the Editors of the Missouri Democrat: This part of Kansas is improving very rapidly, and filling up with industrious and enterprising settlers. The corn and other crops promise finely; but the great drawback we have, is what we call the Spanish Fever, among our cat tle, caused by driving the Texas cattle through here. There have been about fifteen thousand head driven up the military road, from Fort Gib son, by the way of Fort Scott, on to Kansas City and Fort Leavenworth, during the past spring and summer. The last drove came through about the 2d of June. This disease follows wherever these cattle go, and is seen nowhere else. It has ruined hundreds of men here. Some poor men have lost quite half their teams, and all they have for the support of their families.— Many are left without any means to cultivate their lands. We can’t keep as much as a milch cow on this road. This disease made its appearance among our cattle this year about the 10th of July. One of the first symptoms is a dull look out of their eyos. They all hold their heads down, refuse to eat, draw their breath quick and hard, and, as the fever increases, lie down frequently and stagger as they walk. Wien they walk, they appear to lose the use of tkeir hind parts. They usually live from three to ax days, some as long as eight days. On post-mortem examination, we find the manifolds of thr stomach perfectly hard and dry, without any appearance of moisture about theiYi. We have tried most every remedy with out much benefit. There is somethijg peculiarly strange about this so-called contagious malady. Liko yellow fever in our own species, its contagiousness is open to doubt; yet the attending circumstances appear to favor very strongly the correctness of the popular belief ii Kansas on the subject. n > 1 THE SUGAR MAPLE IN GEORGIA. Cone, Butts County, Ga., [ 2d Sept., 1859. j Du. D. Lee — Dev Sir: In the Smthern Field and Fireside, August 20th, page 102, second col umn, in an article '*The cultivation of fruits and trees at the Soutl," you say “if the Patent Office would pay le->s attention to sorgum, tea seeds, and morus, Sc., aud distribute the seeds, with directions to gnw them of sugar maple,” and other maples you have therein mentioned, greater good would be effected. I will state to you that the sugar maple is a native of Georgia. I have seen it growing in Clark county, near Athens, when I was at school there, and it is not (infrequently seen all through middle Gepr gia. Its growth is confined mostly to, or near water courses. I hive many trees on my plan tation here on the Ocmulgee River. I am not mistaken about it, foi when a boy I used to cut into the trees, and bore into them, and drink the sap which was sweet—that was in Putnam coun ty, Ga. There is ancther, and different maple, a native of Georgia, vhich we call the white ma ple-, it has no sacchaiine juice; it is the wood shoe pegs are usually made of. It is more ornamental than the sugar maple; the bark is whiter, and the wood softer. I have sawed both kinds of these maples into lumber, the sugar maple for furniture and gunstocks. I was pleased with your article above referred to, but have taken the liberty of informing you of these facts, as my opportunities of becoming familiar with the forest trees of middle Georgia have been more extensive, probably, than that of any one not a native of this State. These maples put up hundreds of young scions every year from the seeds. Many of them die in the heat of summer, but many live. I should say the seed, with proper care, would come up as certain as wheat or corn. There are hundreds growing along the banks of the river here, where the ground is too near the water for cultivation. Excuse the liberty I have taken in writing to you, a stranger, but as you are an editor and a professor, I look upon you more as be longing to the public, than as a private gentle man. Besides, science and knowledge are not exclusive; they are the true democracy, because all who can raise themselves upon their plat forms, arc acknowledged as equals. In science, exists the true equality, the true fraternity, which politicians have sought for in vain. I am proud of the Field and Fireside as a Southern and Georgia paper. I do not think it has a superior North or South, if even any equals. Respectfully, yours, kc. B. F. W. P. S. I wish to procure the Italian chestnut, either seeds, or trees. Tho above interesting letter in reference to that exceedingly valuable tree, the Sugar-Maple, was not intended for publication, but as there is abundant room in the South for extensive su gar orchards, which yield so many millions of pounds of sugar at the North, at a trifling cost, we desire to call attention to the subject. Maple syrup is the best in the world, while groves of this tree are exceedingly beautiful. * —■ —i»» DISTEMPER IN SHEEP. Richardsonville, S. C. Mr. Editor :— Dear Sir : Having turned my attention in some degree to the raising of Sheep I am anxious Ito know some remedy that will cure the rot or distemper which they have very badly. I have changed them frequently to dif ferent pastures, but all to no purpose. Having examined your paper thoroughly, I can find nothing to that effect. A receipt through your columns will be thankfully received. Yours, respectfully, E. P. Coleman. By the term “ distemper” is meant we suppose a disease characterized by running at the nose, shaking the head andknuffing. Ifso, the animal has the larva of a species of gad-fly in the olfacto ry and perhaps frontal sinuses, of its head. The annoyance is often serious, and sometimes fatal. Like the bots in horses, and grubs in the backs of cattle—all of which are insects of one family —no sure preventive or cure is known. At no distant day we will discuss the subject at length, and cite the most reliable authorities who have treated on the same. To Destroy Rats. —A cotemporary says that a lady in that city, whose house became so in fested with these troublesome varmints, gives the simple remedy of dissolving coperas in wa ter, (make it strong,) and sprinkle in the most prominent places, will make them leave at a two forty rate, and no mistake. She tried it success fully and has not l»een troubled with rats or mice since. It is simple, and will not cost much to try it. MUSQUIT GRASS AND GRASS CULTURE. Roswei.l, Cobb Co., Sept. 3d, 1859. Dr. Dee— Dear Sir: In response to your re quest, in the Field and Fireside, of the 27th ult., for some Musquit grass seed, I send you a sam ple of the seed which 1 have under that name, and which originally came from Texas by mail; the quantity from wliicli mine originated was less than what I now enclose. I have it over my whole farm, in connection with red top and clo ver ; but so much mixed, that I could not mow the seed apart. As I wished, in seeding a fresh piece, to have the Musquit the most'abundant, I this summer had two or three bushels of seed gathered by hand, some of which I can spare you if it proves to be what you want, and in ex change, I will gladly take some of the orchard grass seed of which you have written in the Field and Fireside. I have not hitherto suc ceeded with the latter, perhaps owing to poor seed, or unpropitious seasons. Broom-straw and briars are more congenial to the soil, and take the lead. I think highly of the Musquit. It starts ear ly, makes good hay, matures more nearly with red clover than Red top or Timothy, and I no tice that my horses keep on that part of the pasture on which the Musquit is thickest. Grass culture has been my hobby up here for twenty years, and I assure you I have found it hard work to keep the nag on his legs, for want of company, but he begins to prick up his ears lately, and I don’t know but I could get him into a trot, if a friend were to pass by. I have this year made (I don’t know how to tell by meas ure, and I cannot weigh) from twenty to thirty tons of first quality hay. The last Cotton Plant er and Soil, gives an old rule, but the two ends do not tally; taking count by the biggest bulk, I have at least twenty tons, and pull no more fod der. I think the greatest obstacle to success in grass culture outside of the two lime-stone belts of our State, is that the soil is not congenial to its growth, and must therefore be well culti vated and made rich before the grass seed is sown ; whereas grass is sot forth as an improver of the soil, (and that truly) and therefore it is put to work on the place where that improve ment is most wanted, and fails. If you think with me, I hope you will not fail to enforce on all beginners the necessity of making a small ex periment on the best land with thorough pre paration. The next obstacle is the growth of weeds and broom-sedge, which must be kept down by mow ing. This 1 find the surest way to encourage the grass after it has taken. 1 shall be glad to hear from you at your convenience, and should you ever stray into my neighborhood, would be much gratified by a call. I am, yours truly, Arch. Smith. The above letter was evidently not written for publication, but it contains precisely thoso plain, practical suggestions which farmers like to read, and which sensible men ought to be willing to write for the press. It is wrong in many of our agricultural friends to withhold all aid in an honest effort to foster the useful inter change of thought and experience between tens of thousands of Southern tillers of the soil. The seod sent with the above letter is the tme Musquit, and Mr. Smith has our best tlianks for the same. We shall be happy to send him orchard grass seed in exchange for any quantity. With proper care, we can grow every grass found in Texas which is of the least value to the husbandman ; and now is the time for gentle men to achieve honorable fame by introducing from the vast natural pastures of Texas and Kansas the seeds of some of the very best herb age plants in the world. Y. L. G. Harris, Esq, an estimable citizen of Athens, has not only given us samples of the Musquit, Utah, Terrell, and other grasses grown by him, for use in lectures before a class in the University, but seeds of each species for cultivation. The Musquit and Utah grasses are the best, we think, in his col lection. lie finds them of much value for cut ting green, and feeding to his horses and cows. Dr. Reese, of Athens, has boon quite success ful in grass culture ; and there are many who begin to appreciate the value of having cheap and abundant forage for all kinds of live stock. This common-senso practice very soon doubles the value of neat cattle, brood-mares, mules, hogs, and sheep, while it greatly lessens the cost of keeping them. THE USE OF QUAILS. Editors of Field and Fireside-. Win. Norton, an intelligent observing farmer boy, who makes his home in the Southern part of Illinois, has recently been studying the habits of the quail, or incorrectly “partridge,” and gives the following testimony to the Cin cinnati Artisan : “ He observed a small flock commencing at one side of the field, taking about five rows, follow ing them regularly through the field, scratching and picking about every hill till they came lo the other side of the field; then taking another five rows on their return, and thus continuing till he thought they were certainly pulling up the corn, lie shot one, and then proceeded to examine the corn ground. On all the ground they had been over he found but one stalk of corn disturbed; that was scratched nearly out of the ground, but the kernel was still attached to the stalk. In the crop of the quail he found one cut worm, twenty-one striped vine bugs, over one hundred chintz bugs that still retained their individuality, a mass apparently consisting of hundreds of chintz bugs, but not one kernel of corn. The quails have been decreasing in number in that vicinity for about five years past, and the chintz bug increasing. It is believed that these facts stand in the relation of cause and effect to each other.” The above is certainly suggestive to the ob serving farmer; very few seem to be aware of the great benefit derived from almost every kind of birds. Crows are sometimes destructive to corn, but it is very certain they are often useful in the removal of worms and insects, and per haps help more than harm us. In some neigh borhoods the grasshopper is growing to be a serious enemy. Last year I had most reluctantly to contribute several acres of clover to their sup port; this year, thanks to the white crane, black birds, and some lighter volunteers, (not forget ting the much slandered fish hawk) “going it” at them “ while they were youug ” —slayed them in time to save our fodder, Ac., Ac. Augusta. A Friend to Birds. • *•*- .—- In Caldwell county, Texas, the white Malaga grafted on the common mustang of that State, has proved a perfect success. No larger bunches of grapes more uniformly ripe, than samples of these Texas grapes, could be produced. ORCHARD GRASS AND GRAPES. New Prospect, "Winston Co., Miss. ) Sept. 3d, 1859. f Dr. D. Lee: — Dear Sir: I inclose twenty stamps, to get some fine grass seed. In your notice in the Field and Fireside, you have not named the grass, but say it is the best for hay and grazing in the winter of any grass for the South. Please let me know the name and whether it is annual, biennial or perennial. As you were kind enough to answer some of my queries when you were editor of the Cultivator, 1 make bold enough to trespass again. I have a small vineyard of Catawba grapes, of two or three years growth, from which I wish to make some pure wine for home consumption, and to treat my friends when they come to see me.— This grape succeeds very well in my gardens trained on a flat arbor 6 or 7 feet high and never rots. The Isabella rots more or less every year. I have been in Mr. Longworth’s vine yard and in some others where there are two branches left to each vine, some 18 inches from the ground, and these branches are cut off each alternate year. Now what I wish to learn from you is, whether in cultivating the grape to make wine, it is necessary to follow this plan, or if I cannot succeed by permitting the vine to grow and pruning the branches as I have heretofore done in my garden. I notice in my garden that the grapes do not ripen well together, and I wish to know if they would ripen more uniform ly if trained to a trellis or tied to a stake. I think I understand the process of pressing and fermenting the must, although I know that much must be learned by practice. If you will be kind enough to answer these questions, you can do so in a private letter or through the columns of the Field and Fireside, I wish you much success in your new agricultu ral paper. Yours, Very respectfully, Tnos. P. Miller. The name of the grass which has suc ceeded best at the South, is called Orchard Grass in this country, ahd often Cock’s Foot in England; and botanically Dactylis glomerata. — The seed will roach you by mail before the Field and Fireside. The grass is perennial. The unequal ripening of grapes is a serious defect, which we fear it will be difficult wholly to preveut. Vinegrowers and our horticultural associate will, we trust, give the subject due at tention. lit IN AND-IN-BREEDING. Editors Southern Cultivator. —A new spirit seems to havo taken some of the farmers and stock breeders of the South, within the past year, by surprise, and not a few havo carried this vexed question almost beyond a doubt, and they baldly assert that in-and-in breeding, and no other, will do for stock breeders in future, either in this country or any other. After the valuable dissertation on ‘‘Hereditary Blood in Man and other Mammalia,” which has appeared in the columns of the Cultivator, many seem to consider the matter of in-and-in breeding as permanently fixed, and that they have at last found the great desideratum so long wan ting to complete success in stock breeding. Dr. Lee took the mutter up with a skillful hand, and none will say that he did not handle his subject in a masterly manner. He left no stone un turned which would help to throw light upon the subject. But here a question arises among the mass of stock breeders, will in-and-in breeding always ensure success, and give the desired end at all times, and under all circumstances? or will the majority of the cases result beneficially ? Let us seel It took many years of close study and constant care to establish the foundation of the present Devon Stock. They were formerly of small size and very in ferior milkers —many unsuccessful attemps were made to improve them. The in-and-in breeders dare not leave the Devon stock for improvement, and those who were most venturesome lacked the knowledge of the requisite qualities wanted to maice the Devon a finer animal. We undoub tedly owe the present improvement to Mr. Bloom field, the manager of Lord Leicester’s estate at Holkliam. He made a great improvement in the size and milking qualities of this valuable breed, without materially improving the beauty and form of the animal. He really deserves the great credit and honor which lie has received. But how did ho accomplish this result? JHe took a finely formed, good sized, deep colored Durham bull and ingrafted him with some large and superior heifers (of tho Devon breed) that their after progeny might partake of the bull which first served them a caBO by no mean uncom mon with cattle, pne very perceivable in horses, and some extent among sheep and swine, and not an uncommon occurrence with the human family. I will not stop here to note this subject, butiftlie reader will refer to one of the back numbers of the Cultivator, he will find an article to the ef fect, from myself. But let me get back again to my subject. Mr. Bloomfield, then, with the after progeny of these Devon heifers which had been served, he bred them to large and finely formed Devons which were little or no relation to each other. By this means he produced the finely formed Devons of the present day; and for us to keep this stock at its proper standard, it is necessary for stock breeders to breed in-and in, but how close the relationship may exist and not deterioate the herd is a question which re mains to be proved, and only experience will do that. As with cattle, so with sheep. Let us take the Bakewell or Leicester, a breed of sheep which have been kept in a certain state of per fection for nearly a century. They were origi nally the produce of a full-sized Rornny-Marsh ewe and a Cheviot—tho first a coarse, ungainly animal of slow growth and of very little real value ; the other a finely formed but very small animal quick to grow, and having medium qual ity wool, from four to seven inches long. By breeding the progeny of these sheep to some of the finest sheep then found in England, Mr. Bakewell has produced the far-famed and justly celebrated animals so well known throughout England and this country at tho present day. It is true that lie must have practiced the in-and-in system—the parent upon the progeny—for sev eral successive generations, which had a ten dency to impress effectually the desired charac teristics of the race, and it is certain that even Mr. Bakewell carried the refining system to such an extent as to partially destroy the procreative powers. And he was subsequently obliged to introduce new animals to re-invigorate and con tinue his flock, showing by his own experiments that by carrying the in-and-in system too far it would ultimately destroy the improvements he had already made m his flock. But with this is there not another considera tion ? Did not his nice discrimination of the character and qualities of sheep, his choice se lections, his pampered feeding and judicious management, all have their bearing upon bring "* * . »'**'•' • *■'«* * “ _ Jfj! a