SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 15? 



LETTER XI. 



THE MOST PROFITABLE BREED OF SHEEP FOR THE SOUTH. PRINCIPLES 



OF BREEDING. 



Breeds should be adapted to the circumstances of a Country... Circumstances requiring a Mutton Sheep 

 . . .Comparison between Mutton Sheep The South-Downs, Leicesters and Cotswolds. . -How far the Feed 

 Markets, &c., of the South demand such breeds... What breed of Sheep will give the greatest value of 

 Woo\ from the feed of an acre ?.. .Comparative Consumption and Wool Product'of the Mutton breeds and 

 the Merino Other Expenses Comparative Hardiness, &c... A pound of fine wool can be grown as cheaply- 

 as a pound of coarse worth more for marketer for consumption.. .The Mutton of the Merino and it* 

 Crosses. . .What sub-variety of the Merino best adapted to the wants of the South ?.. .Review of the Hi* 

 rory of Wool-Growing and the Wool Markets since ] 824 . . . Tariff's and Prices.. -Injudicious course of the 

 Manufacturers Have discouraged the growth of tine wool and encouraged that of medium and coarse. .. 

 A surplus of medium wools, and a bare or abort supply of fine. . Manufacturers now in the power of fine 

 wool growers.. Interest of the Manufacturers to encourage the growth of fine wools by paying; better 

 prices are beginning to do so will be compelled to continue this course... Will the North furnish th 

 increasing demand ? No Reasons... Fine wool in every point of view more profitable than coarse for- 

 cultivation in the South... Comparison between Merinos and Saxons... Crosses between them... Point* 

 which constitute excellence in a Merino proper size per centage of wool to live- weight shape and gen- 

 eral appearance skin wrinkles... The wool what parts it should cover itff gum length and weight of 

 fleece evenness style softness serration manner of opening, &c . . . Principles of breeding. . . In and-iti 

 breeding. ..Crossing. ..English Crosses with the Merino... Views of Mr. Livingston concerning the use of 

 cross-bred rams of the French breeders of the author... Great importance of starting a flock with choicw 

 rams with different strains of blood. 



Dear Sir : No one breed of sheep combines the highest perfection in all 

 those points which give value to this race of animals. One is remarkable 

 for the weight, or early maturity, or excellent quality of its carcass, white 

 it is deficient in quality or quantity of wool ; and another which is valu- 

 able for wool, is comparatively deficient in carcass. Some varieties will 

 flourish only under certain conditions of feed and climate, while others 

 are much less affected by those conditions, and will subsist under the; 

 greatest variations of temperature, and on the most opposite qualities of 

 verdure. 



In selecting a breed for any given locality, we are to take into consid- 

 eration first, the feed and climate, or the surrounding natural circum- 

 stances ; and, second, the market facilities and demand. We should then 

 make choice of that breed which, with the advantages possessed, and un- 

 der all the circumstances, will yield the greatest net value of marketable 

 product. 



Rich lowland herbage, in a climate which allows it to remain green 

 duiing a large portion of the yeai, is favorable to the production of large 

 carcasses. If convenient to markets where mutton finds a prompt sale 

 and good prices, then all the conditions are realized which call for a mut- 

 ton, as contradistinguished from a wool-producing sheep. Under such cir- 

 cumstances, the choice should undoubtedly, in my judgment, rest between 

 the improved English varieties the South-Down, the New Leicester, and 

 the improved Cotswold or New Oxfordshire sheep. In deciding between 

 these, minor and more specific circumstances are to be taken into account. 

 If we wish to keep large numbers, the Down will herd* much better than 

 the two larger breeds ; if our feed, though generally plentiful, is liable to 

 be shortish during the drouths of summer, and we have not a certain sup- 

 ply of the most nutritious winter feed, the Down will better .enduie occa- 

 sional short keep : if the market calls for a choice and high-flavored mut 

 ton, the Down possesses a decided superiority. If, on the other hand, wt 



* That is, remain thriving and healthy when kept together in large number* 



