46 Choosing a Breed. 



consequent profitableness. The Romney is noted for its 

 soundness of constitution, and it and its blood in a 

 cross is of particular value where there is dampness of 

 conditions making liable to footrot. All English long- 

 wool breeds, to do themselves justice, require essentially 

 succulent herbage, a fair amount of which a moist clim- 

 ate provides, and stand in contrast to the Merino breed, 

 which will thrive on poor, dry country, giving meagre 

 pasture, and to the Downs breeds, which are more 

 adapted to a medium state of pasture not too dry and 

 sparse, and certainly not too moist, for the Downs, like 

 the Merino, are very subject to footrot, and require a 

 dry footing. 



