294 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



sheep, delivered before the Royal Agricultural College by Mr. J. Algernon Clarke, when 

 speaking of Lincolns, he says: 



It is certain that neither Cotswolds or. Leicesters, in cases where they have been tried, 

 (in that district), have equaled the Lincoln in value of wool and mutton, together produced 

 per acre, and no other breed can furnish such big and heavy-skinned &quot;lamb hoggets &quot; as are 

 the grazier s attraction at Lincoln, Caistor, and Boston spring fairs. 



As to their adaptability of being kept in large flocks, the Messrs. Budding keep a breed 

 ing flock of 800 ewes, and clip about 1,400 head. Numbers of other farmers can be named 

 having from 600 to 1,000 ewes, which means a flock of from 1,500 to 2,500 head to be win- 

 tered. As to whether they have retained the power of growing heavy fleeces of lustred 

 wool, the Farmer s Magazine states that the first prize three-shear exhibited at the Lincoln 

 meeting of the R. A. S. E. girthed 5 ft. 8 in., and had cut in his three fleeces 5 If Ibs. of 

 washed wool. 



In a lecture delivered by Mr. Charles Howard at the Central Farmer s Club, he mentions 

 a case of 327 Lincoln hoggets producing 3,640 Ibs., an average of over 11 Ibs. washed wool. 



Mr. J. A. Clarke also states two instances, one where 257 fleeces weighed 3,276 Ibs., or 

 an average of over 12 Ibs. each; the other, where a clip of 2,829 fleeces averaged 11 Ibs. 

 each. Mr. Budding writes Our flock numbers about 1,400, and the average clip is from ten 

 to twelve pounds each; our ram &quot; hogs &quot; shear from 15 to 20 Ibs. The two you saw at Spald- 

 ing (with two years growth of wool), we clipped to-day; the first one cut 33 Ibs., and the 

 other 40 Ibs.; length of staple 30 inches. 



Mr. Marshall writes us: Our ram &quot;hoggets&quot; cut from 15 to 22 Ibs., and I have had 

 as much as 26 Ibs. from one.&quot; 



Much more evidence to the same effect might be adduced, but the above is sufficient for 

 the purpose. 



The above is not written with the intention of glorifying one breed at the expense of 

 another, and we do not wish to be understood as asserting that the Lincolns are adapted 

 to all portions of our country, but there are certain districts where we firmly believe that 

 they will pay a better percentage than any other variety. We would not advocate their dis 

 placing the small, active Merino in the far &quot;West, nor the Merino and Bowns in certain por 

 tions of our rough, mountainous Eastern States, but it may be laid down as a broad rule, 

 wherever Short-horn cattle will grow to perfection, there you may keep the Lincoln to 

 advantage; neither of them like to work over-hard for their living; but wherever they can 

 get a good bite and satisfy their appetites without too much exertion, there will the Lincolns 

 pay to keep as long as combing wool is in demand and mutton eaten. We prefer them to 

 the Cotswolds because they will cut a heavier fleece of a more valuable grade of wool, and 

 will stand rough treatment better; to the Leicester because they have better constitutions, 

 are not liable to lose their wool on the belly, neck, and arms, produce a heavier fleece, and 

 because they are a better mutton sheep, having more lean meat, and the fat not deposited in 

 large masses on the outside of the carcass; and to either of them, as being better adapted to 

 the ordinary wants of our farmers, since they will make a better return in the shape of 

 wool and mutton combined, for the amount of food consumed, than any variety of long-wool 

 sheep with which we are acquainted. And lastly, we believe they will make a better cross 

 on the common sheep of the country than any other that can be used.&quot; 



