THE FRENCH MERINOS. 



Whilst at Paris I endeavored to visit the Institut Agronomique and the 

 Grignon Agricultural College. Unfortunately, at the time, both of these 

 institutions were in recess, and on arrival I was greeted by the concierge 

 sole officer left in charge. I was more fortunate at the Bergerie Nationale of 

 Rambouillet. Here, at least, I was very courteously received by the manager, 

 and shown over the stud Merinos. The relatively great age of this State 

 institution may be gauged by the fact that I was able to see there the 122nd, 

 123rd, and 124th generations of sheep bred directly from Merinos imported 

 originally from Spain. The Rambouillet Stud Farm originated in 1786 with 

 the presentation by the King of Spain to Louis XVI. of France of 334 ewes, 



Inbred Rambouillet Merino Rams of the 123rd Generation at the "Bergerie," near Paris. 



42 rams, and 7 bell-wethers. Those selecting the sheep are said to have 

 received instructions from the King to get together some of the finest types 

 of the breed to be found in Spain. A second importation took place in 1800, 

 but since that time the Rambouillet Merinos have been bred continuously 

 without the introduction of new blood. The flock has all the appearance of 

 vigor and health, and does not in any way appear to have suffered by this 

 prolonged period of inbreeding. I must say that I was very favorably im- 

 pressed with the general bodily development of these sheep. As mutton 

 sheep they appeared to me to be superior to the South Australian bred sheep. 

 They are more compact and blocky, with broader and deeper chests ; the 



