[2501 



to our climate, soil and pasturage than any of the improved breeds, yield- 

 ing as much mutton in carcass, and as great a quantity of wool. A cross 

 of Merino and Cotswold would result similarly, but would not utilize the 

 great number of natives. A cross direct of the Cotswold and natives is a 

 vast improvement, getting rapidly to the large carcass and great yield of 

 wool; but without the Merino cross, the density of fleece, fineness and 

 softness of fibre imparted by it cannot be attained. 



It is of the utmost importance that those breeding either of full bloods 

 or crosses should select the best of rams. A good Merino ram bred to the 

 native ewe adds one hundred per cent, to the yield of wool, and greatly to 

 the carcass in symmetry of form and fattening qualities. Nor is this all : 

 the half-bloods are worth double their dams, and can be used as a basis 

 of still higher and greater improvement by the use of the large carcass, 

 long-wooled rams, which cross will greatly increase the weight of carcass 

 and double the yield of wool. When the number of lambs produced by 

 one ram is taken into consideration, and when it is seen over what an im- 

 mense extent, even in his own direct offspring, his good or bad qualities 

 are to be perpetuated, how obvious, then, that none but the best bucks 

 should be selected! How important, then, that every scrub ram in the 

 State should be exterminated, and his place supplied with one of the im- 

 proved breeds. 



In a few years the natives would become extinct, and in their stead v/e 

 should have a breed of sheep yielding from twice to four times the quan- 

 tity of wool, and of a superior quality, aside from the great increase of 

 mutton in carcass. 



Some may say that the expense of procuring an improved buck is 

 greater than they can bear. If they are able to own a flock of sheep, they 

 are able to own an improved buck. It would be money saved to give half 

 an ordinary flock of natives for an improved buck. The increase of wool 

 alone (not taking into consideration the increased value of the lambs of 

 the first year's get by an improved buck) would pay for him, and every 

 <;lip after that, with the increase of lambs, is that much gained. 



The Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Georgia reports the 

 annual profit on capital invested in sheep at sixty-three per cent. Ten- 

 nessee ought to do equally as well in fact, better, for in Georgia the im- 

 proved breeds will not succeed as well as in Tennessee. 



DISEASES. 







With proper change of pasturage and keeping the sheep away from 

 low, moist ground, they are comparatively free from disease. 



If sheep are kept up, it is better to have their pastures divided into two 

 or more lots, and let them occupy one portion two or three weeks, and 

 then change to another. The change is of great importance to secure 

 health and necessary variety of food. There are certain pungent plants 

 and weeds which sheep are very fond of, and which seem necessary to 



