656 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES. 



nently adapted to sheep husbandry, which will never serve its highest 

 purpose until it is fed over by fine mutton sheep. 



In the report referred to, Professor Henry gives a valuable article on 

 the result of some experiments in feeding sheep, and some timely notes 

 on crossing the Shropshire Down with the American Merino. Recog- 

 nizing the active interest in mutton production, and the importance 

 attached to the question of crossing fine-wooled ewes with rams of the 

 mutton breeds for the purpose of cheaply establishing and grading up 

 a flock of ewes for breeding mutton sheep, was the incentive to the 

 investigation on cross breeding. Many farmers found that they could 

 breed mutton sheep with profit, but their iiock included only fine- 

 wooled ewes. The vital question with them was IIOAV to change most 

 cheaply and advantageously from the growing of fine wool to the rear- 

 ing of mutton sheep. Observations were made on a small flock of 

 Merino ewes crossed by a Shropshire ram. The best of six of the 

 Merinos averaged 120 pounds; the best six of the first cross averaged 

 140 pounds. There was a slight increase in the weight of fleece, which 

 was of wonderful evenness and density. Prom the results obtained the 

 conclusion was drawn that "with three, or at most four, top crosses of 

 such a breed as the Shropshire upon even such an extremely different 

 type as the Merino, offspring would result that could not practically be 

 distinguished from the pure-bred Shropshire. The importance of this 

 to the farmer lies in the fact that by purchasing a pure-bred mutton 

 ram of ordinary constitutional vigor he may hope to establish in four 

 years a flock of high -graded mutton sheep that will approach near to 

 the best type of any of the mutton breeds." 



Important as this conclusion may be, the greater value lies in the 

 thought that prompted the investigation, that emphasized the tendency 

 of sheep husbandry in all the western States, that mutton and not wool 

 is the prime object of the sheep raiser. 



