[254] 



as a breed, is as well fixed as any of the carefully bred European breeds; 

 they can be selected from any other breed by the most casual observer. 

 This is the breed of which probably nine-tenths of the sheep of the State 

 are composed, and this being the fact, it must be the basis upon which all 

 improvement must be made, so as to utilize what we now have. Now, 

 how shall this improvement be made? Simply by using upon our native 

 ewes rams of the long-established and improved breeds. We have of 

 these, bred by our own breeders, to select from, the Merino, the South- 

 down, Shropshiredown, Oxfordshiredown, Leicester, Cotswold, etc. 



Each breeder must determine for himself what improvement he desires, 

 or for what purpose he shall breed whether for wool alone, and if for 

 wool alone, whether fine, medium or combing wool ; or whether for wool 

 and mutton combined, or for mutton alone, or for whatever purpose he 

 may desire, and select the breeding ram accordingly, and breed continu- 

 ously for the purpose desired. I am of opinion that the best general-purpose 

 sheep we have are from careful selections and judicious crosses. Witness 

 the improved Leicester, Cotswolds, Shropshiredowns and Oxfordshire- 

 downs. And even with the Merino and Southdown there are many shades 

 brought about by the peculiar fancy of the different breeders, breeding 

 for different and specific purposes. It is truo these breeds have become 

 perfect breeds within themselves, and 3 T et none of them combining all 

 that may be desired. 



Beyond doubt, the Merino is the most ancient race of sheep now exist 

 ing with us, and is probably more diffused throughout the world than any 

 other breed of sheep, having been used advantageously in crossing upon 

 breeds of localities, soils and climates different to that from whence it 

 originally came, occupying prominent position over both continents and 

 on the isles of the seas. Next probably in the purity of their breeding 

 is the Southdown, which has existed for centuries in England, and their 

 kindred races, the Shropshire and Oxfordshire Downs crosses of the 

 Down family with the larger, long-wooled breeds, which are of more 

 recent origin. Then we have the long-wooled breeds, Leicester, Lincoln 

 and Cotswold. Mr. Spooner, in speaking of the Cotswold, says, " they 

 were formerly bred only on the hills, and fatted in the valleys of the 

 rivers Severn and Thames, but afterwards in the Cotswold Hills of Eng- 

 land," from which I presume they take their name. The Cotswold have 

 been greatly refined and improved from their original state by judicious 

 crosses with other long-wooled breeds, principally the Leicester. This 

 breed of sheep, the Leicester or Bakewell, some writers say, were originally 

 of the Lincolnshire breed, noted, for the quantity of their wool and 

 coarseness of their mutton. Mr. Bakewell, of the Dishly farm, England, 

 by judicious selections and a steady adherence to certain principles of 

 breeding breeding for a specific purpose perfected what is known as the 

 improved or new Leicester, which ranks very high among the long-wooled 

 breeds of England and America. Robert W. Scott, near Franhfort, Ken- 



