103 



of the merino, of superior hardiness and more certain success 

 in raising lambs. These prices are considerably beyond the 

 present market (1841). Besides these, there have been intro- 

 duced into the country, the Dishley or Bakewell sheep. These 

 sheep are remarkable for their size, symmetry, and fatness. 

 7^hey have small and clean heads, broad and flat backs, square 

 and full sterns, and round bodies; and, when in high condition, 

 may be said to display the art of breeding in perfection. No ani- 

 mals can be more beautiful. Their wool is long, and adapted 

 for spinning into worsted. The average clip is from six to 

 seven pounds, which, when half-blood merino commands forty 

 cents, will bring about thirty cents per lb. They are of a ten- 

 der constitution, and require particular care and most liberal 

 keeping. Their mutton is generally highly valued in the mar- 

 ket, though it is too much loaded with fat, excepting for the 

 epicurean palate. The four quarters, after being dressed, 

 often considerably exceed one hundred pounds, and, in some 

 cases, one hundred and fifty pounds. Attempts have been 

 made to improve the size of the merino, by crossing them with 

 the Dishley. The first cross has succeeded well, but the sec- 

 ond has resulted in the deterioration of both. The short-wooled 

 and the long-wooled being distinct races from each other should 

 not be intermingled. 



The next breed of sheep likely to become prominent among 

 us is the South-Down. These are a sheep of medium size, 

 very compact in form, with clean heads and black feet and 

 muzzles ; extremely hardy, maintaining themselves in good 

 condition even upon inferior keeping ; and affording as fine 

 mutton as can be sent into the market. The average yield of 

 wool on the South-Down is three and a half pounds. The 

 pile is short, and the quality in respect to fineness, inferior to 

 the merino, though it is of ready sale with the manufacturers. 

 There is little doubt that a judicious cross of the South-Downs 

 with the merinos, would greatly improve the hardiness and 

 mutton properties of the latter, and the quality of the wool of 

 the former ; and is likely to give us a sheep well adapted to 



