44 DOWN AND HORN BREEDS. 



THE MERINO. 



The races dealt with in this book have been confined to those of 

 British origin, consequently the Merino has not been discussed. 

 Early endeavours to establish it in its pure state, or in cross with 

 British breeds, were not regarded as successful, though there are a 

 few flocks kept in the country which give their owners satisfaction. 

 It has to be remembered that when the early crosses were made 

 some century or more ago, British sheep were in a comparatively 

 primitive state. It is by no means certain that, with the fuller 

 knowledge of breeding possessed to-day and the wholly different 

 types of sheep which have been developed meanwhile, crosses with 

 British blood would not be more successful now ; and it seems 

 somewhat desirable that the question should not be altogether 

 ignored. Very much more crossing was done in the early days 

 than is commonly recognised, and there are records of crossings 

 with most of the notable breeds of that time. The blood must have 

 passed into ordinary stocks, and how far this made it easier for 

 breeders to improve the fleeces of their several breeds is obscure ; 

 but considering the rapid improvements made it is far from impro- 

 bable that the Merino gave considerable help. It is certainly 

 difficult to see how otherwise the wool was so much improved in a 

 short time, even admitting the very full use of the Leicester in 

 early days ; but the quality of the Leicester wool in the early days 

 of the breed's improvement was never regarded as its strongest 

 point. 



