[255] 



tucky, originated a breed of sheep, known as the Improved Kentucky, 

 very much as Mr. Bakewell did the Leicester, and produced a sheep very 

 similar to the Leicester. 



I am of opinion, and that opinion is predicated upon a practical expe- 

 rience of over twelve years, that the breeder can breed in sheep just what 

 he desires. In Tennessee, with our great diversity of soil, climate, pas- 

 turage, etc., by judicious crosses upon our natives, we can furnish a coun- 

 terpart for every race of sheep valuable for its fleece or mutton, if we 

 give our time and attention to the breeding of such as may be desired or 

 suited to each locality and for each purpose. Some may prefer medium, 

 wool and carcass, with superior mutton of high flavor these would prob- 

 ably select, to improve their flocks, some of the Down family. I believe 

 this race of sheep is considered superior in the quality of their mutton to 

 all other breeds. As the partridge, quail, etc., are to birds, and the trout, 

 salmon, etc., are to fish, so is the Down to mutton. 



Others who prefer a large carcass, quantity without especial regard to 

 quality, and a great yield of wool, will select some of the long-wooled 

 breeds. Others, who prefer finer wools and a medium carcass, will select 

 some of the Merino breeds. 



As a general thing in Tennessee, it is not so much the quality as the 

 quantity of of carcass desired ; very little difference, except in especial 

 localities,' is made in the quality of mutton, just so that it is in good con- 

 dition, and the larger the carcass the greater the profit. 



Many breeders, particularly in Middle Tennessee, rely for a portion of 

 their profits upon early lambs for Northern markets the lambing season 

 (from November to February), on account of our mild climate, being 

 months in advance of our less favored Northern borders, enables our 

 breeders to get the cream of the market. 



This branch of sheep husbandry has been very remunerative to those 

 breeders who have adopted it, breeding the comparatively inexpensive 

 native ewes to come of the imported English breeds. In my portion of the 

 State East Tennessee with the line of railroads that we now have, by 

 which we can reach the markets of Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia 

 and New York, and with the road now in course of construction, and soon 

 to be completed the Cincinnati Southern Railway connecting Cincin- 

 nati with Chattanooga by one line af road, certainly gives to that portion 

 of the State, for this branch of the industry, market facilities unequalled. 

 A car-load of lambs could be transported from Chattanooga to Cincinnati 

 in twenty hours, and from there could be distributed to the markets offer- 

 ing the greatest inducements. This line of railway is, for ninety miles, 

 at the base of Walden's Ridge, thence crosses the Cumberland Mountain, 

 through Tennessee, into Kentucky, bringing at once into easy access to 

 markets the great table-lands of the Cumberland Mountain and Walden's 

 Ridge, (which is a spur of the Cumberland), where, in time, will be the 

 finest sheep-walks in the world. This road will also open up to the mar- 



