THE SAXON MERINO. 131 



their strength of constitution. The ewes yielded from a pound 

 and a half to two pounds of washed wool, and the rams from two 

 to three pounds. The wool was almost free from yolk, and re- 

 mained clean and white ; the staple was from one Inch to an inch 

 and a half in length. The body of this sheep was thin, the legs 

 long, the neck long and thin, the skin pale, and the constitution 

 weak. Yet the beauty and extreme fineness of the wool were 

 such (a fiber, not of the finest, measuring 1 / 6to of an inch in dia- 

 meter) that it overbore the objections to the defects of the sheep. 

 While this is the general character of the Saxon sheep, there are 

 a few breeders who have striven with success to give them more 

 size and greater compactness of form. 



The management of the noted Saxon flock of Baron Sternberg, 

 from which most of our recent importations of these sheep have 

 been made, is worthy of note here. This flock consists of 1,200 

 head : 600 ewes, 100 rams. 260 lambs, and the rest wethers and 

 yearlings. They are kept in one large brick stable, 330 feet long, 

 63 feet wide, and 30 feet high ; this is well ventilated, and made 

 to be closed in severe weather. The ewes, rams, etc., are kept in 

 divisions separated by hurdles, supported by stakes driven into 

 the floor. In these are placed fodder-racks and feed troughs. 

 Above the stable are hay and straw lofts, floored with boards, 

 which are covered with several inches of beaten clay. The litter 

 and manure remain in the stable six months at a time, until it is 

 in a compact, solid mass, three or four feet thick. The sheep are 

 stabled here from November to April, and foddered on straw, hay, 

 turnips, and brewers' grams. In summer they are taken out to 

 graze from 9 to 12 in the forenoon, and from 3 in the afternoon 

 until sunset. Great care is taken in coupling the ewes ; those 

 rams being selected that are needed to cover defects or improve 

 weak points in the ewes. Mere fineness of wool is not aimed at. 

 The greatest possible size of carcass compatible with tine clothing 

 wool, and a fleece at least 2J Ibs. in weight, are the desired objects. 

 The weak and inferior Iambs are killed off when young, and the 

 flock is rigorously weeded of all but healthy animals. The value 

 of the land upon which this flock is kept with profit is $200 to 

 $300 an acre. The importation of Saxon Merinos into the United 

 States have shown that this breed cannot, under ordinary circum- 

 stances, profitably compete with other varieties of Merinos, on ac- 

 count of the cost of the shelter and extra care needed for its 

 proper management, and the smallness of the fleece. The supe- 

 rior fineness of the wool does not bring a sufficiently high price to 

 make up for the deficiency in weight. In competition with the 



