BREEDING SHEEP. 613 



BREEDING SHEEP. 



Breeds of Sheep The Merino Saxon These sheep are 

 comparatively speaking tender, but they seem to be hardier than the 

 parent German stock. In docility, patience under confinement, 

 maturity and longevity they resemble the Merinos from which they 

 are descended, but ordinarily do not mature so early nor live so long. 

 They are poor nurses, and unless their lambs are sheltered and 

 carefully watched they are more likely to perish, as they are smaller 

 and feebler. They are lighter than the Merinos, consume less food, 

 and do not fatten so well. The fleece will weigh on an average 

 from two and a quarter to three pounds. The inferiority of the 

 American Saxon wool to that of Germany is not due to climate or 

 natural causes, nor to want of skill on the part of breeders. It is 

 because few American manufacturers are willing to make the dis- 

 crimination in prices which would render it profitable to produce 

 this exquisite wool, and until American manufacturers are willing 

 to pay as much for these wools at home as they do when brought 

 from abroad, these sheep cannot be raised successfully in this 

 country. 



The Bakewell or Improved Leicester This is a 

 large-sized sheep, but smaller than the Leicester, of which it is an 

 improvement." It fattens readily when food is plenty, but will not 

 bear hard stocking, nor can it " hustle " for food. It is peculiarly a 

 lowland sheep and should have luxuriant herbage, when it will 

 mature early. Its wool is of a good combing quality and makes 

 fine worsteds. The fleece of this sheep will weigh about six pounds, 

 but is not in favor in cloth manufacture. Its mutton is of good 

 quality but lacks flavor. This sheep can only be recommended on 

 rich lowland farms, in the vicinity of profitable markets. 



The Best Sheep for Mutton is the healthy and hardy 

 Southdown, which endures the American winters well, and is an 

 admirable sheep for crossing with natives for the production of 

 mutton. The ewes are prolific breeders and good nurses. In a 

 good Southdown the wool is short, close, curly and even, free from 

 spiry projecting fibres. It is cultivated principally for its mutton. 

 'Its early maturity and extreme aptitude to lay on flesh render it 

 peculiarly valuable for this purpose. High fed wethers have reached 

 thirty -two and even forty pounds per quarter. 



The Improved Cotswold, which has been successfully 

 used for cross-breeding in this country, is a large breed with lon^ 

 and abundant fleece, and the ewes are very prolific and good nurses. 

 The wool is strong, mellow and of good curl, though rather coarse, 

 six to eight inches in length and weighing from seven to eight 

 pounds per fleece. The quality of the mutton is superior to that of 

 the New Leicester, with which it has been crossed to advantage, the 

 tallow being less abundant, with a larger development of muscle or 

 flesh. 



