SHEEP- FARMING. 53 



should be carefully preserved and fostered in the country 

 by those parties who have attained a considerably advanced 

 stage by means of this blood. These parties, however, 

 would do well to put their ' Cabanas ' through a severe 

 course of purification and classification, rejecting every- 

 thing that does not corne up to a given mark in size, form, 

 and fleece, and rigidly adhering to the general principles 

 of management laid down in this work. 



The Rambouillet (French Merino). This breed is de- 

 rived from several ' Cabanas :' the Cabana Imperial stand- 

 ing far in advance of all others for trueness of shape, and 

 fineness and texture of wool ; but the high price of the 

 Imperial stock has prevented its introduction into this 

 country ; and there are, perhaps, not more than two 

 ' Cabanas ' in the province, where the blood exists in its 

 purity. The majority of the so-called Eambouillets intro- 

 duced here are from other and inferior Cabanas, and many 

 of them, judging from their quality, cannot be considered 

 pure French Merino. I say ' so-called Rambouillet,' be- 

 cause this term, properly speaking, belongs only to the 

 Cabana Imperial. 



The ' Cabana Gilbert ' produces an animal distinct, in 

 many points, from the Cabana Imperial. The rams of high 

 class from this Cabana are large (larger than the Imperial) 

 imposing-looking animals, with large head, shoulders, and 

 chest ; but the wool is not so fine nor so close, nor is their 

 shape so true as the Imperials. English Merino (George 

 III.) more nearly resembles in type the Rambouillet Im- 

 perial than any other branch of the same family. 



I believe that it is to this blood (Rambouillet French 

 Merino and George III. Merino) that we must look for 

 the regeneration of our flocks. I am confirmed in this by 

 observation here, by the knowledge of the wants of the 

 great manufacturing interest in Europe, and by the practice 



