On Tunis Sheep. 219 
EEE MEN TELL 
make them. They will bear to be kept fat, without be- 
ing diseased, far beyond any others within my know- 
ledge. The carcase is heavy, but not coarse; as are. 
many other sheep of large sizes. The heaviest ewe of 
this breed I have known weighed 182 pounds alive, 
when sheared. Her fleece, clean washed, weighed eight 
and one half pounds, she was half blood. A half bred 
ram, a twin, at i8 months old, weighed 214 pounds.* 
4, Their character is that of gentleness and quie- 
tude. And they live in health, vigour, and usefulness, 
to greater ages than other sheep. ! never sawa breachy 
Tunis sheep. Some exceptions there may be, but they 
* Although I have mentioned the sizes and weight of 
sheep, and facts as they respect the mutton, I do not value 
the large sheep the most. I have always found that mode- 
rately sized sheep, of any breed well fleeced, are the most 
profitable. One of the finest, and proportionately heaviest 
fleeced and superior fleshed wethers, of the full blooded Tunis 
breed, weighed 18 pounds the quarter. He was stunted in his 
growth, by an accident when a lamb. I do not admire very 
fat mutton, of any breed. The Tunis ewes are the smallest ; 
and generally carry the finest fibred fleeces. I have long been 
convinced, that large caté/e are the least profitable. Middle- 
sized horses, are to be preferred. 
I think it a great mistake in crossing, to prefer sheep of 
large sizes; though, no doubt, some respect is to be paid 
to this circumstance. The qualities of fleece, flesh, temper, 
hardihood, healthfulness, and tendency to feed well and eco- 
nomically, are more important than size. The largest sheep 
have generally the coarsest wool, and most indifferent mut- 
ton. The full bred Tunis sheep are naturally of sizes the 
most eligible. The old ram was reasonably large ; and much 
above the size of common sheep. 
