2O2 THE STUDY OF BREEDS. 



(2) They have the true Merino instinct for a variety of 

 plants, including some which are not relished by the mutton 

 breeds. 



V. Feeding qualities. 



(1) Rambouillets will winter on coarser food .products 

 than some other breeds. 



(2) They will also fatten in good form, but must have 

 liberal feeding. 



VI. Quality of the meat. 



(1) While the quality of the meat is good it is not fully 

 equal to that of the mutton breeds, owing 



(2) To more of coarseness and ranginess of frame. 



VII. Value in crossing and grading. 



(1) Rambouillets are admirably adapted for crossing 

 upon range stock where the object is to secure a fairly large 

 carcass covered with a good heavy fleece of wool, so dense 

 that it will resist the influences of much exposure, but 



(2) They should not be crossed on mutton breeds where 

 the highest quality of mutton is sought. 



VIII. Breeding qualities. 



(1) Rambonillets breed regularly and are fairly good 

 nurses, but 



(2) They are not distinguished for their prolificacy. 



IX. Wool production. 



(1) Rambouillets produce a long, dense and heavy fleece 

 of fine wool with a sufficiency, but not an excess, of yolk and 

 possessed of good strength of fiber. 



(2) The average weight of the unwashed fleece in matured 

 rams may be put at about fourteen to eighteen pounds, and in 

 ewes at about ten to fourteen pounds. 



X. Compared with American Merinos. 



(1) Rambouillets are much larger, have better mutton 

 form and better feeding qualities and a longer staple of wool. 



(2) The American Merinos have a wider adaptation in 

 grazing, since they would maintain themselves under some 

 conditions where the larger Rambouillets would fail. 



(3) In other respects they are very similar in their char- 

 acteristics. 



