342 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



SHEEP HUSBAKDEY. 



This is one of tlie most important of the farmer's occupations. In compar- 

 ing the profits of sheep husbandry Avith grain-raising, one very important factor 

 is generally left out of the account, namely, that raising cereals impoverishes 

 the soil, while sheep-raising enriches it. AVithout sheep the agriculture of Eng- 

 land would be a failure. Their value to English agriculture is in their manure. 

 Though not of themselves profitable, they make other branches of agriculture 

 profitable. I leave this branch of my subject, of vast national importance, with 

 the hope that it will be taken up and discussed by others ; and will confine my 

 remarks to my own observation and experience. 



There are three general breeds of sheep in this country : 1, Long wools, of 

 which there are two families, Jjcicesters and (Jotswolds. 2, Middle wools, of 

 which there are several families, namely, Southdowns, Shropshire downs, Hamp- 

 shire downs, Lincoln, and perhaps some others. These are emphatically mut- 

 ton sheep, producing comparatively a small amount of wool. 3, Fine wools, of 

 which there are three families, namely, Erench, Spanish, and Silesian merinos. 

 I can say very little of the first two named breeds from my own experience. 



Prior to 18G5 there were comparatively few sheep in the Scate excepting Meri- 

 nos audi their grades. At that time an excited demand arose for coarse and 

 long-wooled sheep. Speculators introduced into almost every part of the State 

 coarse-wooled sheep of every and all grades, mostly from Canada, and sold them 

 for Leicesters, Cotswolds, Southdowns, or any other breed. It all depended on 

 what the customer desired to purchase. They were crossed indiscriminately 

 with the merinos. Eive or six years of experience was enough, and in many 

 instances they were disposed of as hurriedly as they had been purchased incon- 

 siderately, and well-bred merinos have again been in active demand. 



I have said there were three distinct families of merinos. We hear, it is true, 

 of Infantados and Paulars, etc. ; but I have never met Avith a practical sheep- 

 man who could practically explain the difference, except that the Paulars were 

 polled sheep. 



The French merinos are long in the leg, thin through the shoulders, flat- 

 ribbed, a clumsy, coarse head, a profusion of heavy wrinkles or folds, wool 

 yellow or golden, short, thick-set, uneven, and gummy ; they are tender, requir- 

 ing good care. The Spanish are much more comjiact in form, short, heavy 

 legs, small, clean, fine heads, heavy neck, with moderate folds, fleece white, long, 

 firmer and more even than the French. The Silesians are smooth in form, less 

 compact, light, short legs, fine, neat heads, the fleece being whiter, finer, 

 longer, and more even than either of the others. It has as good wool on the 

 neck and thigh as on the body, and its wool brings the highest price of any in 

 the market. They are less hardy than the Spanish, but more so than the 

 French. 



Tlie above traits will show of which family the blood predominates in any 

 specimen. There are now very few if any full bloods of either of the three 

 families in this country, they having been bred together, and have produced 

 what we now call the American improved merino. They are not excelled for 

 weight and fleece in the known world, having carried off the first prizes at 

 most of the international exhibitions. The high-bred American merino of to- 

 day is small, compact, clean head, no avooI below the eyes, pink-colored nose, 

 large, clear, full, bright eye, tan-colored eyebrows and lids, ; short, thick, soft, 

 velvety ears, heavy necks with moderate folds or wrinkles, broad, sound body. 



