INTRODUCTION 23 



ly too, and especially does it matter enormously 

 whether the sheep are parasitic or not. If free from 

 parasites, and in good heart in the fall, the ewe flock 

 can keep in good heart all winter on half the feed 

 that would be required if the sheep were gnawed in- 

 ternally by worms. 



The result of my investigations has served won- 

 derfully to confirm and strengthen my faith in Me- 

 rino blood as having great possibilities of profit for 

 eastern farmers. Merinos are hardy, very easily 

 kept (the history of the Merino breed since we know 

 of it has been a story of hardships and sparse feed- 

 ing), and fairly resistant to parasites. This last 

 feature is the one that most commends the Merino 

 to eastern farmers. There can be no question that 

 these sheep will be in health and vigor under condi- 

 tions that would play havoc with sheep of any of the 

 English breeds. If then the most " muttony " of the 

 Merinos are chosen (Delaines, Blacktops or Ram- 

 bouillets), one can get from them lambs that fatten 

 right well (not near so easily as Southdowns, Dor- 

 sets or Hampshires in health, but better than these 

 when parasitic), and the lambs get large enough to 

 weigh as much as the market desires at this time. 



When good Merino ewes were crossed with good 

 Down or Dorset or long-wool rams, the result was 

 usually a fine profit from the year's work. The dan- 

 ger of that course of procedure is that one may lose 

 character in the ewe flock, since the half-blood ewes 

 are by no means so resistant to parasites as the 

 pure-bred ones; nor are they as easy keepers, nor 



