52 Beport upon the Ar/ricidtural Features 



" We had at our disposal a stock of Merino ewes, wliich we- 

 paired with Southdown rams from the flocks of Lord VValsing-- 

 liam, Lord Sondes, and Zoppritz. The results of this cross 

 were partly half-blood and partly three-fourth Southdown blood. 

 The flock thus commenced possesses good feeding qualities 

 through the Southdown blood, and is well suited for middle 

 quality of land. For rich land and good keep the Cotswold- 

 Merinos, and, in a still higher degree, the Keltschan stock are. 

 the best. The last are especially recommended for the circum- 

 stances of the sugar makers. They are unequalled either by the 

 pure Southdown, of which we hold a stock of 100 breeding-ewes, 

 of the best blood, or even by the Oxford-down. 



" We look for, and find the profit of our breed of flesh-sheep 

 in the sale of our 12-14-months-old fat animals. Also in the 

 price for the coml>-wool produced, which we have sold at an 

 average, over all our improved flocks, of l.f. 9^r/. per lb. The 

 shearing weight is, in the case of Cotswold-Merino, 4^^ English 

 lbs. The Keltschan stock and the Southdown-Merinos produce 

 three pounds per head." 



Keltschan Post and Telegraph Station is in Moravia, near the 

 North Railway Station, Bisenz, 



The Archduke Albrecht has been mentioned as a breeder of 

 Southdown-Merinos. Specimens were exhibited from Teschen, 

 Austrian Silesia. They represented a flock of 750 Southdown- 

 Merinos and 650 Southdown-Eerki ewes, and a small stud flock 

 of Southdowns. The production of meat and strong wool are 

 the objects sought after. The wool is middle-fine, and was sold 

 in 1872 at 2s. \\d. per lb. The weight per fleece is reported at 

 ?>\ English lbs. for one-shear sheep, and 8 lbs. per head for two- 

 shear sheep. The Southdowns were purchased in England in 

 1868-70. The Saybusch flock consists of 200 head, bi'ed be- 

 tween native sheep and Southdowns. The objects aimed at 

 are the production of meat, and an increased weight of wool of 

 coarser quality, for combing purposes. The ewes give close 

 upon 7^ lbs. and the rams 13^ lbs. per head average. This flock 

 was constituted in 1867. 



It seems scarcely necessary to enter into a minute criticism of 

 the Austrian Merino flocks after havixig devoted some pains and 

 space to this part of the subject under the head of Germany. 

 The general character of the wool was much the same, except 

 that the long Rambouillet quality was absent. With reference 

 to this famous variety of the Merino sheep, and in connection 

 with what has already been advanced, it is only fair to state 

 that the Rambouillet sheep have many points to recommend 

 them for crossing purposes. 



In Hungary it was found that the Rambouillet cross, although 

 giving a large carcass, caused an open, loose character of wool. 



