CROSS-BREEDING 87 



lambs 'earlier-maturing. In general, however, it will 

 be found that breeders of Merinos will be sticklers 

 for pure breeding, not one admitting that the cross 

 of any other Merino family improves his type. 



From my study of profits in general sheep-farm- 

 ing, I am convinced that Merino ewes can hardly 

 have too much mutton character; it is not the ex- 

 traordinary fleece that the ewe may bear that makes 

 her profitable. Bather it is her ability to resist 

 parasites, to subsist on coarse food, to raise a good 

 lamb and withal to yield a fairly satisfactory fleece. 



