CHAPTER I. 



Of the Characters and ^mlities of the Merino^ as 

 it respects size — Shape — Fleece — Disposition 

 to fatten— -Constitution — Temper — Longevity 

 ' — Different flocks — and of the effects and emo- 

 lument of the cross with common sheep. 



Character of the Merino, 



IjESIDES the excellence of his wool^ the Meri- 

 no possesses many qualities which recommend 

 him to the attention of the farmer. In size, he is 

 rather a small sheep, as all fine and short-woolled 

 sheep are ; but this, so far from being a defect, is 

 one circumstance which should particularly re- 

 commend him to the farmers of the middle dis- 

 tricts of this country, whose pastures in general 

 are better calculated for small animals of every 

 description than for the large-boned, heavy 

 breeds, which have nothing to recommend them 

 but size and strength, and which will starve on 

 feed that will not only support to advantage less 

 animals, but which will actually make a return of 

 more, as well as better wool and mutton per acre 

 from small sheep, than stronger land will give 

 from such as are very large. Of this assertion 

 no better proof can be given than a fact stated by 

 Lord Somerville, who, when he first entered on 

 the breed of small, short-woolled sheep, had been 



