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cross are worth from seventy-five cents to one dollar more 

 per head than lambs of same age by a common ram. 



Of the three varieties mentioned at the commencement 

 of this chapter the Southdowns, next to the Merinos, can 

 best adapt themselves to any. portion of the State, and while 

 they are an upland sheep, and will thrive to perfection on 

 the Table- lands, they will do equally as well on the rich 

 pastures of the middle and western portions of the State, 

 though in flocks of smaller size. They are growing more 

 rapidly in popular favor South than either the Cotswolds or 

 Merinos. One hundred ewes of this breed will have one 

 hundred per cent, of lambs, the twins occurring as often as 

 barren ewes. 



COTSWOLDS. 



This breed stands first of all others for the excellence and 

 quality of the fleece for combing wool. It is strong and 

 mellow, of good color, about from six to eight inches in 

 length, and the fleece will average from seven to nine 

 pounds. 



The Leicester or Bakewell were the first long-wooled 

 sheep introduced into the State, and for many years they 

 were unrivaled in popularity. Their fleece, though not 

 quite so heavy as 'the Cotswolds of the present day, was 

 finer in texture. They could not compete successfully, how- 

 ever, with the heavier carcass, as well as fleece, of their 

 more hardy rivals, and have almost entirely disappeared 

 from the State to make room for the Cotswolds. 



This breed do not rest their value alone upon their fleece, 

 but claim much merit as a mutton breed. On good pas- 

 tures the matured sheep take on flesh quickly, but do not 

 distribute it evenly like the Southdowns, but pack it in 

 " patches " about on the carcass, neither do they " marble " 

 their flesh (distribute the fat amongst the lean meat) like 

 the Southdowns. 



The ewes are very prolific breeders, and generally good 



