16 THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHEEP RAISING 



the number of sheep in the Argentine Republic greatly increased 

 after the founding of this flock, the progress of the industry was 

 greatly hindered by the numerous political revolutions which were 

 common throughout all of the River Plate region and sheep raising 

 was later in attaining great commercial importance than in the 

 United States and Australia. 



Importance of Merino Blood. Like each of the other coun- 

 tries mentioned above, South America found the wool type, or 

 Merino sheep most profitable at first. Southdowns, the premier 

 mutton sheep of England, were introduced as early as 1825, but 

 because of their low yield of wool and predisposition to foot rot, 

 they did not win wide favor. Then, too, the Merino had the 

 gregarious instinct intensely developed, which was valuable to South 

 American owners for the same reason that it is of value to any 

 community where sheep are in the care of herders. 



Use of Mutton Breeds. Merino blood is still present in most 

 of the flocks, but in many cases it is mingled with the blood of the 

 English mutton breeds, chiefly with the Lincoln and Romney 

 Marsh. Both of these are long-wooled breeds which, when crossed 

 with the Merino, produce a beautiful lustrous wool and a lamb that 

 is suitable for the frozen carcass trade with England. 



Present Status of Sheep Industry. It has been said that there 

 is probably no region where the shepherd's life is easier than in 

 Argentina. Predatory animals are few. Except along the base of 

 the Andes, no preparation of feed for winter is necessary, and, 

 except in marshy regions, or in seasons of unusual rainfall, disease 

 is rare. Nevertheless, in many parts the sheep industry has passed 

 its meridian. The beautiful expanses of land, furnishing the plenty 

 which has made life so easy for shepherds, are valuable for agri- 

 cultural purposes, and the coming of cultivated fields is not only 

 desirable but inevitable. But Mr. Joseph Wing, who visited the 

 Argentine and contiguous countries as a special agent for Presi- 

 dent Taft's Tariff Board, said there was still much land in South 

 America suitable for sheep production which was not fully occupied. 



Sheep Raising in South Africa. Although Merino sheep were 

 imported into South Africa one hundred and fifty years before they 

 were introduced into Australia, it is only recently that the wool 

 markets of the world have begun to receive considerable amounts of 

 pure and grade Merino wool from South African flocks. For 

 various reasons the progress of sheep husbandry has been compara- 



