SILESIAN MERINOS. 



41 



years they are not as heavy. * * * Mr. Fischer's sheep 

 are large, say larger than any flock of Vermont Merinos that 

 I have seen. * * * I have the lambs come from 

 November to March, because Carl says it is the best way, and 

 I let him do as he pleases. * * * The ewes do not give 



r' ' 3 as much wool, but I think the lambs make stronger 

 p, as they get a good start the first summer." 

 The Silesian ram, a portrait of which is given on page 38, 

 was bred by Mr. Chamberlain, and is now the property of 

 James Geddes, of Fairmount, N. Y. He is regarded as 

 an extraordinarily valuable animal of the family. He is large 

 in size and yields an unusually heavy fleece. 



The following cut represents a group of Silesian ewes 

 imported by Mr. Chamberlain. 



GROUP OF SILESIAN EAVES. 



I visited Mr. Chamberlain's flock in February, 1863. 

 Most of the lambs were then dropped and the ewes appeared 

 to be excellent mothers. They were fed beets but no grain. 

 They are housed constantly in cold weather, except when let 

 out to drink housed nights throughout the year, and from all 

 summer rain storms. From the limited quantity of his 

 available pasturage, Mr. Chamberlain restricts them far more 

 than is usual in that particular in summer, but allows them to 



