527 



Euglisli sheep was a total failure. Not ouly were the points of differ- 

 euce too wide for combination, but also economic reasons arrested the 

 project of amalgamation. Three Southdown sheep could be fattened as 

 easily as one merino, and the demand of the English market for mutton 

 rendered the lean merino a very undesirable acquisition. In Germany 

 the perfection of the fleece was the leading idea, and hence the merino 

 liere found a more congenial home. The Australian merino is mostly 

 of German origin instead of Spanish, its original stock. Hence, being 

 the progeny of a cross, there is a tendency to individual degeneracy. 

 nence,also, the necessity, impressed by intelligent sheep-breeders, of cull- 

 ing out such animals from the breeding-flocks. Yet the merino type has 

 attained in Australia higher qualities than any that could be imported 

 from Europe at the present date. To a large extent sheep-breeding has 

 there been judiciously conducted with reference to selection of breeding 

 animals, and of the most eligible conditions of climate, soil, pasturage, 

 &c. The undulating slopes of the great dividing-ridge of the continent 

 turn out merinos in great perfection, endowed with superior softness 

 and elasticity of fleece. The mild winters yield natural food, while the 

 dryness of the climate favors the retention of yolk. The abundance of 

 forest trees gives shelter in winter and shade in summer, thus modifying, 

 to a very important degree the action of the natural elements upon the 



W'OOl. 



In Germany, sheep are too much confined in sheds, in order to pre- 

 serve the fleece. Hence the growth of the animal, in size and muscle, 

 is impeded, and its constitution weakened. The free exercise of the 

 Australian sheep-walks, with the variety of pastures afforded, gives a 

 symmetrical development and a hardy constitution, with a superior 

 fleece. The German merino-wool, protected as it is from the elements, 

 is superior to the Spanish in softness. Australian sheep-farming is yet 

 to attain something of this result by providing shelter in the heavy-rain 

 season. The flabby corrugations of the imported Negretti, in Australia, 

 are soon rounded out by judicious breeding. 



Adaptation to local climate and circumstances is a point of special im- 

 portance in Australia. Flocks removed from the table-lands of New 

 South Wales to the plains and sand-ridges of the Darling showed 

 marked changes in the character of their fleece. Sheep first taken to 

 Queensland, just north of New South Wales, and occupying the north- 

 east corner of the continent, began to yield a light, harsh, and dry wool, 

 bringing only reduced prices. In subsequent years, however, these 

 qualities enhanced its value. Manufacturers found that the dry atmos- 

 phere, by absorbing oil from the fleece, increased the weight of wool 

 proper, compensating the waste from scouring. Queensland w^ool then 

 rose to prices higher than that of New South Wales of the same fine- 

 ness. The hot sun and the fine sand mingled wdth the wool absorbed the 

 yolk. The northern part of the continent lies within the tropics; hence 

 it has been suggested that the breeds of these regions be constantly 

 renewed, in order to prevent the deterioration of wool into hair. Much 

 may be done in this direction by proper selection and by artificial shelter 

 from the extreme sun-heat. The Negretti is, probably, the best sheep 

 for these warm arid districts. Some districts of this region are supposed 

 to be favorable to fine combingwools. This class of wools require that 

 the animal be kept in good condition through the winter as well as 

 through the summer. 



Some fine strains of Leicester blood have been introduced into Aus- 

 tralia, but the perpetuation of their good qualities demands close atten- 

 tion and judicious management on the part of the breeder. Passing to 



