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Sweden, but in such an extremely cold climate their wool 

 loses much of the fine texture that characterizes it in its 

 warm native land. This is the oldest breed of sheep known 

 and most widely disseminated. The Merinos are the longest 

 lived of all other breeds, and instances have come under 

 our own observation where ewes fourteen years old would 

 drop fine healthy lambs and raise them. They are not pro- 

 lific breeders, in this respect not equal to either of the other 

 varieties. They are regular breeders, however, until seven 

 or eight years old. Notwithstanding the longevity of the 

 Merino, and the excellent health that is characteristic of 

 this < breed, the lambs, when first dropped, appear to be 

 weaker and more delicate than those of any other breed. 

 This is only the case, however, for a few days, after which 

 they seem at once to inherit the characteristic thrift and 

 hardiness of their tribe, and the percentage of loss by a 

 disease in a flock of Merinos, after the lambs are two or 

 or three days old, is far less than that of any other breed of 

 sheep. They are slow at arriving at maturity, and are not 

 considered thoroughly done growing until they are three 

 years old. This renders them, necessarily, the least desirable 

 as a mutton sheep, although they are by no means inferior 

 in this respect. They mature slowly, and do not take on 

 fat as quickly as either of the other breeds; but after having 

 reached maturity they fatten kindly. The flesh is firm- 

 grained, and, as mutton, is juicy and well flavored. As the 

 Merino is the oldest, it is also the hardiest of all other im- 

 proved breeds. They are alike thrifty on uplands and on 

 flats, in cold or warm climates, and on scant or luxuriant 

 pasture. The various conditions under which this widely 

 disseminated family of sheep are bred, change to some ex- 

 tent the quality and quantity of their fleece, as well as the size 

 of carcass ; but under all circumstances, and in the various 

 climates, they are noted for their fine fleece and hardy con- 

 stitutions, enabling them to herd in larger numbers than 

 any other variety without detriment, or endangering the 



