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in any market, for it has the fine texture of the Merino 

 with the combing qualities of the Cotswold. This is also a 

 valuable grade for any pnrpose, producing a superior qual- 

 ity of wool, and at the same time making a juicy mutton, 

 second in quality only to the Southdown grades. 



Satisfactory experiments have been made with this cross 

 by Capt. Thos. Gibson, of Maury county, an experienced 

 and extensive breeder. He used, however, pure Merino 

 ewes instead of grades ; so gratifying was the result that he 

 intends to cross his flock more extensively. Merinos are 

 the oldest established breed of sheep we have, and their 

 powers of transmitting their characteristics are greater than 

 that of any other breed, hence when this breed is crossed 

 with another the produce will carry the Merino type more 

 distinctly than that of its other ancestor ; thus if Cotswold 

 rams are bred to only half breed or three-quarter-bred Me- 

 rino ewes, the wool will show by increased length the Cots- 

 wold blood, but it will also retain much of the fine texture 

 of the Merino. 



The well-known longevity of the Merino, their thrift and 

 disposition to flock in large numbers without danger of 

 disease, more common to the other varieties, make their 

 blood a very desirable strain to have as a foundation stone 

 upon which to build a flock for any purpose. Grade ewes of 

 this breed are good and trustworthy breeders at eight years, 

 and at that age, when it is no longer profitable to keep them 

 as breeders, they fatten kindly ard quickly for the butcher. 

 We do not know of any grade sheep that will pay in wool 

 more surely the average farmer, than high grade Merino 

 ewes crossed twice or three times with a pure Cotswold ram. 



Wool, however, is not always the greatest consideration 

 in sheep husbandry. A farmer conveniently located to a 

 market will find early lambs and fall mutton will pay bet- 

 ter than his wool clip. With this object in view, a ram 

 should be selected from that breed most noted for its mut- 

 ton qualities. Early maturity must be duly considered in 



