ANIMAL PKODUCTION. 469 



It is believed that these figures represent " a real and definite law of sex 

 deterniiuation." However, " it is not contended or supposed that the time of 

 service in relation to the period of heat absolutely controls the sex of the con- 

 sequent ofifspring," but that " the sex ratio in cattle can be to some extent modi- 

 fied by controlling the time of service." 



Domestic sheep and their wild ancestors. — I, Sheep of the Mouflon and 

 Urial types, J. C. Ewart (Trails. UUjhland and Agr. Soc. Scot., 5. ser., 25 

 (1913), pp. 160-191, figs. 38). — In this paper the author discusses the origin 

 of the 4 types of wild sheep, i. e., Mouflon, Urial, Argali, and Bighorn, and 

 comments on the probable early union of the 2 former types as the origin of 

 present breeds of domestic sheep. Included in the article are notes by J. H. 

 Koeppern and H. Sanderson on the wools of primitive sheep, and soay and 

 other wools. 



Species of wild sheep and their distribution, R. Kowarzik (Zool. Anz., 41 

 (1913), No. 10, pp. Jf39-4Jf5). — This is a study of the species of wild sheep 

 of Europe, America, and Asia with special reference to their geographical dis- 

 tribution. 



The Corriedale [sheep], Camden (Pastoralists' Rev., 23 (1913), No. 4, pp. 

 351, 352, figs. 3). — This is a short article on the foundation, history, present 

 status, and qualities of the Corriedale breed of sheep. 



This breed first developed as the " result of an effort to establish the de- 

 sirable characteristics- of the first cross between a Longwool ram and a Merino 

 ewe, and was the outcome of special requirements in certain parts of New 

 Zealand." Probably the first efforts along this line were made in the fifties. 

 at which time inbreeding was carried on among the first cross between Romney 

 Marsh and Merinos. This flock ran for over 20 years and the results were 

 considered to be very satisfactory. 



In 1879 large-framed high-class INIerino ewes were bred to the best Lincoln 

 rams obtainable. By selection and further introduction of Lincoln-Merino 

 blood the flock has been built up and now numbers over 10,000 breeding ewes. 

 Other efforts were made with Border Leicester-Merino and with English Leices- 

 ter-Merino crosses. The original efforts with the Romney-^Nlerino Corriedale 

 have been largely lost and now the Lincoln-Merino strain predominates. The 

 Corriedale is now recognized as a distinct breed and experiments are under 

 way on the Longwool and Merino cross. 



It is said that " the Corriedales give high percentages of lambs, 120 per cent 

 not being uncommon. The wool ranges from 50's to 60"s in quality and sells 

 up to Is. 4id. The best sheep cut about 10^ lbs. of wool and at about 2^ years 

 old will weigh from 90 to 100 lbs. dressed." 



The production of early mutton, A. Macneilage (Trans. Highland and Agr. 

 Soc. Scot., 5. ser., 25 (1913), pp. 208-223). — Extensive inquiries made through- 

 out Scotland with regard to the popular demand for mutton indicated that the 

 current taste demands sheep from 10 to 14 months of age and weighing from 

 56 to 64 lbs. The foreign supply of mutton from Australia and New Zealand 

 is discussed, and there follows an account of popular methods of mutton pro- 

 duction, feeding of cross-breds, house feeding, the feeding of Blackfaces for 

 early mutton, and similar items. 



Sheep husbandry for Louisiana, W. H. Dalrymple (Baton Rouge, La., 1913, 

 pp. 56, figs. 33). — This publication is a general treatise on the advantages of 

 sheep farming for the South, means of improvement, methods of care and 

 management, and a discussion of the various types and breeds of sheep. 



Dressing and skinning sheep (Pastoralists' Rev., 23 (1913), No. 4, pp. 352, 

 353, figs. 4).— This is a detailed account of the method used in dressing and 

 skinning sheep for shop and export trade. 



