SHEEP FOR WOOL, MUTTON AND BOTH USES 49 



low grade. More commonly, however, the mutton types 

 and grades of these are of superior size and weight to 

 the Merino ; hence the result, as a rule, is decrease in size 

 and weight. 



As a rule the mutton types and their grades mature 

 more quickly than Merinos. The difference is in some in- 

 stances material. Southdown sheep will reach maturity 

 in, say, two years, as pronounced as the maturity reached 

 by Merinos in three years. The slower growth thus re- 

 sulting adds to the cost of production, and is so far ad- 

 verse to the growing of milk lambs, or even lambs that 

 are to be marketed at a more advanced age. 



That the improved mutton breeds and their grades 

 have a more desirable mutton form than the average of 

 the Merino types cannot be gainsaid. Because of this 

 they are designated the mutton breeds. The usual result, 

 therefore, from crossing the Merino types on these is 

 mutton form that is somewhat less desirable. Neverthe- 

 less, there are some types of sheep that may be improved 

 in form by the Merino cross. The influence of the Merino 

 cross on the propensity to fatten is similar. Animals that 

 mature slowly also fatten more slowly than quick-matur* 

 ing animals ; hence the transmission that imparts slow 

 maturity will also impart proportionately the tendency 

 to fatten slowly. But this fact must not be pressed too 

 far, since the Merinos in America have been greatly im- 

 proved in their maturing and also in their flesh-producing 

 properties. 



The adverse influence of the Merino cross upon pro- 

 lificacy is probably more marked than the adverse in- 

 fluence in the other respects mentioned. The original 

 Spanish Merino was a shy breeder. This, to some extent, 

 has been corrected by the superior environment and 

 better food given to them in the United States. But even 

 now they are less prolific than many of the mutton 

 breeds, and in crossing this characteristic is measurably 

 transmitted. 



