LECTURE NO. 2. 



SHEEP THEIR IMPROVEMENT AND CLASSIFICATION. 



I. From the very earliest ages, sheep-rearing* 

 has been one of the most important and profitable 

 industries engaging the attention of mankind, but 



(1) Until the more recent centuries they were kept for 

 the wool and milk which they furnished, rather than for their 

 flesh, hence 



(2) The improvement of tneir flesh-producing properties 

 received but little attention prior to the eighteenth century. 



II. The improvement of the fleece engaged the 

 attention of mankind at a very early period. 



1 i ) Woolen goods were manufactured in Asia at least 2000 

 years before the Christian era, and 



(2) While Rome was yet a republic the fine wools of 

 Italy were improved to a degree unexcelled by us at the pres- 

 ent day. 



III. The improvement of the fleece first seri- 

 ously engaged the attention of the people of the 

 United States. 



(1) The object was to enable them to manufacture a fine 

 class of goods for home consumption, and 



(2) The breed introduced to enable them to attain this 

 end was the Spanish Merino. 



IV. The people of Great Britain and Canada 

 have rather sought improvement in the carcass. 



(1) They have attained this end largely through selec- 

 tion, crossing and improved keep, and 



(2) In realizing it they have in every instance effected 

 improvement in the wool. 



V. Robert Bakewell of Dishley Hall, Leices- 

 tershire, was the first great improver of the modern 

 breeds of sheep. 



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