266 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



possession, they may be used as a basis for an improved flock through the introduction of 

 thoroughbred blood by judicious crossing. As a general rule the natives are far behind the 

 standard breeds, although some are much better than others; the best only should be used as 

 the basis of an improved flock, as many are of a very inferior quality. 



Mr. Harris of Moreton Farm says he can always tell an American and an Englishman 

 when they go to examine his flock; the Englishman looks at the form of the animal and 

 begins to talk about the weight of the sheep; he never says anything about wool; if he gets 

 form and weight of carcass, he knows the wool will be all right. The American examines 

 first for wool; he looks at the length of staple and fineness of fibre, and lastly weight of 

 carcass. 



MERINO SHEEP. 



THIS breed is supposed to be among the most ancient race of sheep known, also the 

 most widely disseminated at present. Various importations of Merinos were made 

 into Sweden, Saxony, Germany, Denmark, Prussia, France, England, and other 

 countries, from Spain before their introduction into the United States, the first authenticated 

 importation of them that resulted in the propagation of a pure breed in this country having 

 been made by Chancellor Livingston in 1802, he being at that time minister at the Court of 

 Versailles. This importation consisted of two choice rams and ewes from the Eambouillet 

 flock, and were sent to that gentleman s country seat on the Hudson. Subsequently various 

 other importations followed, which resulted in disseminating eventually this valuable breed ; 

 but as is common with respect to any innovation, we find that when first introduced they 

 were looked upon with distrust by the majority of farmers, and it was not until after several 

 years had elapsed that confidence in the breed had become sufficiently established to result in 

 their general dissemination. 



It is reported by statements made by Mr. Livingston, that the breed had become so well 

 appreciated in the year 1811, that the average price for Merino rams was $1,000, and some 

 were sold at a much higher rate. They finally declined in value, which resulted in a more 

 general diffusion of the breed and its crosses throughout this and other countries. 



The Rambouillets were first introduced into this country from France in 1801, the im 

 portation consisting of four choice rams. Other importations succeeded, and under good 

 management they rapidly increased and became more generally known in New York, and 

 some of the Western States. Their wool was, however, found to be coarser in fibre than 

 that of the Spanish Merino, while they were not as hardy as some other branches of the 

 Merino family. Others consequently took their place, and but few of the pure-blooded 

 Rambouillets are to be found at present in this country. The different types of the Merino 

 breed that were originally imported into the United States, have been more or less mingled 

 together, so that there is now probably not a single unmixed descendant that could be traced 

 to the original stock. 



The improvement of Merinos has been very marked in the last twenty years, the aim of 

 breeders having been in the direction of large and more compact frames, a better mutton- 

 producing animal, earlier maturity, and a somewhat coarser, but heavier and more profitable 

 fleece. So great is the change that has been wrought in this breed in many localities through 

 climatic ,and other influences, that it is almost impossible to find a flock possessing precisely 

 the same characteristics of twenty to thirty years ago, although bearing the same name. 



Merinos are now represented in various types, embracing the American, French, Saxony, 

 Spanish, Silesian, Australian, etc., all of which are valuable and in many respects similar, 

 though slightly differing in some points, such as size of body, fineness of wool fibre, and 

 length of wool, etc., caused by climatic and other influences. 



