50 STATES OF THE RIVER PLATE. 



V. 



We will now pass under review some of the breeds 

 from which to select rams suitable, in greater or less 

 degree, for elevating the type of our flocks. 



In doing this, it will be necessary to keep in view the 

 existing prevailing blood, size, and form of the sheep, and 

 the characteristics of the wool. 



I have pointed out the great benefit that has accrued to 

 the Australian breed of sheep through early crosses with 

 the English large-carcassed and long-woolled sheep. At the 

 same time I stated, that I considered the course taken by 

 the sheep-farmers in this country, during the past thirty 

 years, and the type resulting from it, has placed them in a 

 position which prevents them availing themselves of the 

 advantages which, at an earlier period, would have arisen 

 out of the introduction of strains of the various British in- 

 digenous breeds. This of course refers to the flocks which 

 have been long * refined ' -Mestiza dowith Merino blood, 

 to cross which with British long- wools, would bring them 

 back in the matter of texture of wool to a near approach 

 to the original Creole or Pampa wool ; and it would 

 require a long time, and very careful selection of the 

 progeny, on which to refine, to produce a valuable and 

 distinctive type. 



Having an established variety, however inferior many 

 of its characteristics may be in degree, we must be par- 

 ticularly careful not to mongrelize it ; and the shortest, 

 easiest, and best course, is to improve and raise the 

 existing type. 



Nine-tenths of our flocks may be said to 'be Merino in 

 blood, a little finer or coarser in wool, according to the 

 higher or lower strains of this blood. I am, therefore, 



