FINE WOOL SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 



killed. They had fleshy tumor/, uii their necks, and 

 we were told by many that it was owing to 'high keep- 

 ing ; we did not believe it then, and have since proved 

 that -it was transmitted by the sire. To construct the 

 next to the last column (in subjoined table) we divided 

 the carcass by the fleece ; and to construct the last col- 

 umn, we added ciphers to the amount of wool and 

 divided it by the gross weight. We conceived that to 

 be the proper method. If it is not, it can readily be 

 reconstructed, as we are confident that the weights in 

 all other respects are absolutely accurate. You will 

 not fail to notice that the 26 wethers in the first class, 

 four years old, gave a greater per cent., than those 

 three years old, and those of from 110 to 121 pounds 

 in weight more than those above or below that weight. 

 Those two exceptions comprise the same sheep. Were 

 these two excluded, the column of percentage would 

 gradually decrease from yearlings to four-years old, 

 and from 43 to 133. Were these four-years old not 

 subdivided, the percentage would be 5.58, and we do 

 not know but that, if the classes above were subdivi- 

 ded in the same way, it would be with similar results. 

 If you can think of any way in which our data can be 

 any more thoroughly elaborated, please inform us, and 

 we will do it with the greatest pleasure. 

 Respectfully yours, 



SWEET BROTHERS. 



Note to the Messrs. Sweet's statement: The American Merino ram, whose 

 measurements are given in Petri's table, weighed, in fair ordinary condi- 

 tion, and with between nine and ten months fleece on, 122 Ibs. He has 

 yielded an unwashed fleece, of one year's growth, of 20 Ibs. 12 oz. His 

 wool is not unusually yolky, and he has very little external gum. Here, 

 then, we have, on a moderate estimate, a pound unwashed wool for less 

 than five and one-half pounds of carcass. 



