I) THE GENESEE FARMER. 21T (\ ~J 



menting than otherwise. The different kinds were kept and fed together, and in all respects fared 

 alike. Some of them were kept pure ; others were crossed. The different varieties are all good for 

 certain purposes — some for mutton, others for wool. The French Merinos, however, from their 

 large size, their great adaptiveness to acquire flesh, togetlier with the large fleeces they produce, 

 seem to possess and combine to a remarkable degree both qualities — the wool growing with the 

 mutton sheep. 



It is the opinion of some that it requires an equal amount of food to produce a pound of flesh and 

 wool, without regard to the size or tlie breed of the sheep — that they require and consume food in 

 proportion to their live weight. These conclusions I tliink are erroneous ; in fact, I know they are 

 not correct when applied to my own flock. Tliat a certain number of French sheep require and 

 consume more food than the same number of sheep of a much less size there is Jio doubt, but they 

 also produce more flesh and wool, in proportion to the quantity of food they consume, than any 

 other sheep I ever kept. When turned out to pasture, they are not disposed to wander or ramble 

 about like most other kinds, but ai'e much more quiet and gentle, and for the amount of food they 

 consume, they accumulate flesh and fat faster than any other slieep I ever knew, and I have never 

 seen that breed of sheep that will produce as mucli value, or as many fibres of wool to the square 

 inch of surface, as the French Merinos. 



My original flock of Spanish Merinos was good, it having been selected from the best flocks in our 

 country without regard to price, and for this reason I was exceedingly (j^utious what I crossed with 

 so much so that after I obtained my first imported French buck I used him only to a limited extent 

 With my first lambs from him I was highly pleased, and when they were sheared their fleeces far 

 exceeded my expectations. Since then I have had no hesitation about using French bucks, and 

 have scarcely used any others,-for I find the more of that blood there is in my flock the better the 

 sheep suit me, and the more profitable they are for wool growing purposes. 



It is to be regretted that there is, in some instances, a spirit of animosity springing up between 

 the breeders of the Spanish and the breedera of the French Merinos. This should not be so. Both 

 kinds of sheep are good, and there is room for all. None but the most friendly feeling should exist 

 between us. If we who are breeding the different classes of sheep, or other animals, do not exactly 

 agree in all our views, that is no reason why we should not feel friendly towards each other, and 

 not only friendly, but we should be the best of friends. That we should all think alike in this, any 

 inore than in other things, is not to be expected : and it is well we do not, for if all of us preferred 

 Durham cattle, there would be no Devons ; and if we all preferred the Merino or Saxon sheep, 

 there would be no Leicester or South Downs ; and so it would be with the other different breeds of 

 animals. But let us take a liberal, high minded, and honorable course, not only with ourselves but 

 with others. Let each take his favorite race of animals and make an effort, by a close and careful 

 system of breeding, to improve them, for there is room for improvement, and we should strive by 

 all honorable means tg excel each other in obtaining and diffusing the best varieties of breeding 

 stock. There is no danger of our best improved breeds of animals becoming too numerous. If they 

 are really superior, they will all be wanted and will all be useful. Competition in an honorable 

 and friendly way can do no harm and may do good, as it is said "competition is the life of business.' 

 It will at any rate serve to stimulate us and increase our efforts .to excel each other in producing 

 the best of its kind. If those of us who are breeding sheep do not in all respects coincide in our 

 views, it will probably be admitted that we are all aiming at one and the same object, and that is to 

 obtain the most profitable breed of sheep. After a thorough trial, and from careful experiment, it is 

 my opinion the French Merinos are the most profitable tp keep for all purposes. Of this I have no 

 doubt, though it is not my wish to dictate for others, as they can have the same opportunities for 

 judging that I have had, and can decide for themselves. However, I am always open to conviction, 

 and if there are any better sheep than the best French Merinos, I would like to see them, and when 

 convinced of that fact, shall endeavor to purchase some of them, if possible, as I always go for the 

 best breeding stock that can be obtained. John D. Patterson. — Westjield, Chaut. Co., N. Y. 



To Prevent Rabbits or Mice from Barking Fruft Trees. — Make a tolerably thick quick lime 

 white-wash, with plenty of salt or brine in it, and apply, plentifully, after the leaves have fallen or 

 the ground has frozen. I have found that whenever, or wherever, I have made the application, 

 where the rabbits are bad, my trees invariably escaped, when those only a few feet from them 

 would be eaten. J. M. W. — Barclay III. 



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