LECTURE LXIX. 



RAMBOUILLETS. 



Origin, History, and Development. 



The Rambouillet is an off-shoot of the Spanish Merino. 

 As early as 1721 some Merino sheep were brought into France. 

 From that time on till 1786 there were occasional small im- 

 portations. But in 1786 King Louis XVI. himself became in- 

 terested and with the aid of the Spanish government secured 

 366 of the best blooded Spanish Merino sheep that could be 

 obtained. This number consisted of 318 ewes, 41 rams and 

 7 wethers. These he took to his estate at Rambouillet, near 

 Paris, where they were put under the best of management. 

 No sheep were sold from the increasing flock for a long time, 

 but careful methods of breeding, selection and feeding were 

 observed. During the French Revolution and Period of Re- 

 construction the flock was not altogether neglected. After this 

 trying period, however, more attention could be given them. 



In 1834 the French people imported rams of the large Eng- 

 lish breeds to cross upon their small native ewes. Their cross 

 was being effected to produce, if possible, a carcass more 

 suitable for mutton purposes. 



The managers of the Rambouillet flock, seeing that size was 

 wanted, made an effort to select and breed for size, but at the 

 same time they kept their blood free from foreign infusion. 

 The larger mutton form which they obtained as the reward 

 of their efforts was accompanied by a diminution of fleece as 

 well as a weakness of constitution and a lack of that rugged- 

 ness necessary to withstand hardships. Perceiving this in 

 time they bred back again to the old Negretti type, and by 

 the year 1867 their flocks were restored to their former use- 

 fulness. 



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