128 THE SHEPHEKD'S MANUAL. 



Negretti sheep are of more interest to us than any other of the 

 Spanish sheep, as it is of this breed alone that any are now 

 brought to this country. The Escurial sheep are of little value to 

 us, either for breeding or crossing with our own. They are rep- 

 resented here by the Saxon and Silesian Merino, which have de- 

 scended from them, as will be hereafter explained. The Merino 

 cannot thrive in a moist climate. A wide range of dry, upland 

 pasture is necessary for them, and they do not require a very nutri- 

 tious herbage. Wet pastures are very unhealthful for theia, and 

 the liver rot and diseases of the lungs carry them off from a large 

 flock by thousands, in unfavorable seasons. On this account, the 

 Merino has not thriven in England, and it now exists and thrives 

 in those countries only where the climate is dry and warm, or 

 even hot. 



THE FRENCH MEBINO. As this variety has been imported to 

 some extent into the United States, and possesses some value for 

 crossing upon our native Merinos, or other sheep, it is important 

 to notice its character and peculiarities. It originated from an 

 importation of a flock of over 300 Spanish sheep, selected from 

 the finest flocks of Spain in 1786. This flock was placed upon a 

 public farm, for the improvement of stock, at Rambouillet, near 

 Paris. In the selection from various sources, it appears that the 

 flock was of a mixed character, but by careful breeding, through 

 a course of years, the differences became merged into a breed of 

 sheep, which surpassed its ancestors, in the opinion of its French 

 owners. It was in increased size of carcass and weight of fleece, 

 that the improvement was chiefly, if not wholly, made. In 1825 

 they became the largest pure Merinos in existence, with remark- 

 ably loose skin, and immense neck-folds. In 1842 there were 

 flocks of these sheep in France, whose fleeces weighed 14 Ibs. for 

 ewes, and 20 to 24 Ibs. for rams. At this time a flock was imported 

 into this country by Mr. D. C. Collins, of Hartford, Ct. The wool 

 of these sheep was considered by a competent judge as equal to 

 the best Spanish Merino wool. It was of a brilliant, creamy color, 

 on a rich, soft, pink skin, which was loose and wrinkled. Their 

 form was fine, their constitution excellent, and in size they were 

 much larger than the American Uerino. In 1846, Mr. Taintor, 

 also of Hartford, commenced to import these sheep. His rams 

 sheared from 18 to 24 Ibs. of unwashed wool, and ewes from 15 to 

 20 Ibs. The ewes weighed alive from 130 to 200 pounds, and the 

 rams from 180 to 300 pounds. There was much less yolk or gum 

 in the fleeces than in those of the Spanish sheep, and there was 

 consequently less loss in washing the wool. 



