958 



SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



In the fall of 1878 we commenced breeding lighter-fleeced Merino bucks with 

 freer wool, less yolk, and black top. The seven-eighths Merino and fifteen-six- 

 teenths crosses were no gain, rather a loss from the three-fourths, but better wool. 

 It has fully demonstrated the fact. The first two crosses gave the best results, and 

 there is where we should have stopped; after passing the three-fourths cross they 

 became more effeminate, poorer milkers and mothers, lambs more weakly. 



In 1881 we bought a thoroughbred Shropshire buck from J. B. Hoyt, of Solano 

 County, used him in the manner the table indicates ; his blood gave us larger and 

 more vigorous sheep. Our one-half Merino, one-half Shropshire, gave us larger sheep 

 than Merino and Southdown of the same grade, good mothers and extra milkers. 

 In my judgment, our three-fourths Merino, one-fourth Southdown, and the one-half 

 Merino, one-half Shropshire, were the best sheep we ever bred. My preference is the 

 one-half Merino, one-half Shropshire, as the best all-round sheep we ever bred. 



Since 1888 Ave have been breeding a coarser and larger variety, aiming at about 

 three-eighths Merino, five-eighths Shropshire. Mutton has more largely entered into 

 consumption in our food centers in this State, ruling higher than beef; with our 

 depleted flocks it will continue to. So it now behooves the sheep-grower to produce 

 a sheep that will yield a large carcass, mature early, and as much good free wool as 

 he can get on it. 



The one-half Merino, one-half Southdown cross gave us 7.86 pounds. The same 

 Merino and Shropshire gave us five-eighths of a pound more, though the style of 

 breeding was different. The first was Merino buck and Southdown ewe. The sec 

 ond, Merino ewe and Shropshire buck. It is an undisputed fact among intelligent 

 stock-breeders that the female imparts more of her qualities than the male, hence 

 the difference of wool yield. 



Table shoiving results for sixteen years. 



