we observe in the Hampshire sheep the Roman nose
and large heads, which formed so strong a feature in their
maternal ancestors, although successive crosses of the South
Down were employed to change the character of the breed. * * *

4th. Although in the crossing of sheep for the purpose of the
butcher, it is generally advisable to use males of a larger
breed, provided they possess a disposition to fatten; yet, in
such cases, it is of importance that the _pelvis_ of the female
should be wide and capacious, so that no injury should arise in
lambing, in consequence of the increased size of the heads of
the lambs. The shape of the ram's head should be studied for the
same reason. In crossing, however, for the purpose of
establishing a new breed, the size of the male must give way to
other more important considerations; although it will still be
desirable to use a large female of the breed which we seek to
improve. Thus the South Downs have vastly improved the larger
Hampshires, and the Leicester the huge Lincolns and the
Cotswolds.

5th. Although the benefits are most evident in the first cross,
after which, from pairing the cross-bred animals, the defects of
one breed or the other, or the incongruities of both, are
perpetually breaking out--yet, unless the characteristics and
conformation of the two breeds are altogether averse to each
other, nature opposes no barrier to their successful admixture;
so that in the course of time, by the aid of selection and
careful weeding, it is practicable to establish a new breed
altogether. This, in fact, has been the history of our principal
breeds. * * *

We confess that we cannot entirely admit either of the
antagonistic doctrines held by the rival advocates of crossing
and pure breeding. The public have reason to be grateful to the
exertions of either party; and still more have they respectively
reason to be grateful to each other. * * * *

Let us conclude by repeating the advice that, when equal
advantages can be attained by keeping a pure breed of sheep,
such pure breed should unquestionably be preferred; and that,
although crossing for the purpose of the butcher may be
practiced with impunity, and even with advantage, yet no one
should do so for the purpose of establishing a new breed, unless
he has clear and well defin