FINE WOOL SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 87 



" We bred French sheep, from September, 1852, 

 till February, 1861. Our first purchase was of John 

 A. Taintor, of Hartford, Conn. We have since 

 bought of John D. Patterson, of Westfield, Chautau- 

 qua Co., !N". Y., and F. M. Kotch, Morris, Otsego Co., 

 ]N . Y. About forty is the most we had at any one 

 time. 



" The average weight of the ewes' fleeces was 10 

 Ibs. X 8 ozs.,-well washed. 



" In addition to hay in winter, we fed them about 

 a pint of a mixture of grain and roots each per 

 day. 



" We also fed a small amount of grain in summer, 

 to attract them to the barn at night for their safety 

 from dogs. 



" They were always kept housed in winter, except 

 on clear days, when they were allowed to go out or in 

 at will. They were also allowed to go into the shed 

 at will in summer. 



" The French Merinos always afforded us good re- 

 turns in wool and lambs. The ewes were good nurses, 

 often bearing twins. Our full-grown rams weighed 

 from 180 to 225 pounds ; the ewes from 125 to 170 

 pounds. 



" We sold our entire flock of French Merinos and 

 crosses to J. D. Patterson, Esq., last winter. 



" We have now commenced a flock of pure blood 

 Spanish Merinos of the Atwood and Hammond stock, 

 and have about fifty in all. 



" With the experience we have in both breeds, it is 

 our impression that the Spanish are the most profita- 

 ble for all classes of wool growers, and will keep in 

 better condition on short keep and rough usage ; but 

 it always paid us better to keep well than poorly. 

 Part of our Spanish ewes sheared last spring 6 Ibs. 

 washed, and a part 8 Ibs. 4 oz. unwashed. I think by- 

 good breeding and care a few generations, we can in- 



