54 STATES OF THE RIVER PLATE. 



of the Australian breeders. The beautiful little Negretti, 

 with its fine silky fleece, may be a more attractive object ; 

 but it cannot fulfil the requirements of our flocks so well 

 as the solid, imposing Kambouillet and English Merino ; 

 from whose progeny, in a few crosses only, a size of car- 

 cass, a tnieness of shape, a weight of fleece, length, fineness, 

 and texture of wool, can be obtained (as I can testify from 

 actual observation) equal, if not superior, under proper 

 management, to nine-tenths of the sheep of the French 

 Merino Cabanas. 



Like all other high-bred animals, they require to be 

 well kept to retain their good quaUties, and in this they in 

 nowise differ from any other fine breed. The effects of 

 bad keep and bad treatment may be more manifest in this, 

 but not more real, than in other fine breeds of smaller 

 size ; for their very grandness makes bad condition more 

 visible. It is worthy of note that these are much less 

 subject to scab (sama) than the Negretti breed. In, this 

 particular they have a decided advantage, and the wool 

 being longer and stronger, it is not so much injured by 

 carretilla, burr, or impurities, nor does it accumulate so 

 much dirt. 



At all cost, we must bring up our sheep in size, yield of 

 grease, weight of fleece, and length and strength of staple. 

 That done, it may be an after consideration what distinctive 

 characteristics we may give to the sheep in different loca- 

 lities, according to the nature of soil, pasture, tempera- 

 ture, or chmate, markets, and other matters. 



Distinctive characteristics can be created by a course of 

 selection without departing from the blood or breed, or 

 they can be grafted by means of a cross and subsequent 

 selection. The nicest judgment is required to adopt such 

 cross and selection to the locality, soil, and climate. I 

 believe I should be borne out by facts in the assertion, that 



