SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH, 255 



LETTER XL 



THB MOST PROFITABLE BEEED OF SHEEP FOR THE SOUTH.— PRINCIPLES 



OP BPcEEDING. 



Breeds should be adapted to the circumstancefl of a CouutTy...CircnmstancPS requiring a Mutton FJ'.eep 

 ...Cotnparison between Mutton Sheep — 'J'ho South-Downs, Leicesters and Cots wolds.. .How far the Feed 

 Markets, &c., of the South demand such breeds.. .What breed of Sheep will f;ive the greatest vohio of 

 Wool from the feed of an acre ?... Comparative Consumption and Wool Product of the Mutton brecd.sand 

 the Merino— Other Expenses — Comparative Hardiness, &c. . -.4 pound of tine wool can be grown as cheaply 

 as a pound of coarse — worth more for market or tor consumption . . .The Mutton of the Merino and ita 

 Crosses.. .What sub-variety of the Merino best adapted to the wants of the South ?... Review of the His- 

 toi^y of Wool-Growing and the Wool Markets since ]8'24. ..Tarift's and Prices.. .Injudicious course of the 

 Manufacturers — Plave discouraged the growth of tine wool and encouraged that of medium and coarse. .. 

 A surplus of medium wools, and a bare or short supply of fine. . . Manufacturers now in the power of fine 

 wool growers. . Intent- 1 of the Manufacturers to encourage the growth of line wools by paying better 

 prices — are beginning to do so — will be compelled to continue this course.. .Will the North furnish the 

 increasing demand ? — No — Reasons.. .Fine wool in every point of view more profitable than coarse for 

 cultivation in the South.. .Comparison between Merinos and Saxons. . .Crus.ses between them. . .Points 

 which constitute excellence in a Merino — proper size — per centage of wool to Hve-weiaht — shape and gen- 

 eral appearance — skin — wrinkles.. .The wool — what parts it should cover— its gum — length and weight of 

 fleece — evenness — style — softness — serration — manner of opening, &c... Principles of breeding... In and-in 

 breeding... Crossing... English Crosses with the Meinno. . .View.s of Mr. Livingston concerning the use of 

 cross-bred rams — of the French breeders — of the author... Great importance of starting a flock with choice 

 rams — with dilierent strains of blood. 



Dear Sir : No one breed of sheep combines the highest perfection in all 

 those points which give value to this race of animals. One is remarkable 

 for the weight, or eai'ly maturity, or excellent quality of its carcass, while 

 it is deficient in quality or quantity of wool ; and another which is valu- 

 able for wool, is comparatively deficient in carcass. Some varieties will 

 flourish only under certain conditions of feed and climate, while others 

 are much less affected by those conditions, and will subsist under the 

 greatest variations of temperature, and on the most opposite qualities of 

 verdure. 



In selecting a breed for any given locality, we are to take into consid- 

 eration Jirsf, the feed and climate, or the surrounding natural circum- 

 stances ; and, second, the market facilities and demand. We should then 

 make choice of that breed which, with the advantages possessed, and un- 

 der all the circumstances, will yield the greatest net value of marketable 

 product. 



Rich lowland herbage, in a climate which allows it to remain green 

 during a large portion of the year, is favorable to the production of largo 

 carcasses. If convenient to markets where mutton finds a prompt sale 

 and good prices, then all the conditions are realized which call for a miit- 

 ton, as conti-adistinguished from a xvool-jrroduci ng sheep. Under such cir- 

 cumstances, the choice should undoubtedly, in my judgment, rest between 

 the improved English varieties — the South-Down, the New Leicester, and 

 the improved Cotswold or New Oxfordshire sheep. In deciding betweep 

 these, minor and more specific circumstances are to be taken into account. 

 If we wish to keep large numbers, the Down will herd* much better than 

 the' two larger breeds ; if our feed, though generally plentiful, is liable to 

 be shortish during the drouths of summer, and we have not a certain sup- 

 ply of the most nutritious winter feed, the Down will bfctter endure occa- 

 sional short keep : if the market calls for a choice and high-flavored mut- 

 ton, the Down possesses a decided superiority. If, on the other hand, we 



* That is, remain ihriviog and beaHby Trhen kept together in large numbers. 

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