and Extension of the Merino Breed of Sheep. 409 



meat or fish. The lambs are weaned at three month?, and immediately put into 

 the best pastures. 



In the year 1765, Augustus Frederick, Elector of Saxony, introduced into his 

 dominions from Spain 100 rams and 200 ewes, chosen from the most noted flocks. 

 Part of these were established at the Electoral farm at Stolpen on the frontiers of 

 Bohemia, six leagues from Dresden. Three other secondary sheep-farms were 

 instituted, at Rennersdorf, Lohm, and Hohenstein, in order chiefly to improve the 

 native breeds by the Spanish cross. At the end of ten years, these establishments 

 were found to have had all possible success. The sheep of the pure blood had 

 preserved every valuable quality, and the ultimate crosses had wool fully equal in 

 fineness and beauty to that of the pure Merinos. 



In 1776, they began to offer some of these sheep for sale. But as, at this period, 

 they found many difficulties, the government obliged the tenants of the electoral 

 lands to buy a certain number of the Spanish sheep. The demand for them soon 

 increased to such a degree, thai, in 1778, it became necessary to make a new im- 

 portation from Spain, to the amount of 100 rams and 200 ewes. The flocks of 

 Stolpen, and the three others abovementioned, have been successively augmented, 

 so that, according to Lasteyrie, the pure Merinos belonging to the PLlector 

 amounted in i8ot to 3,400; and 500 of this flock annually disposed of by public 

 sale, are insufficient for the demands of the farmers, notwithstanding the addition 

 of those which are easily procured from private individuals. 



The sheep of these flocks are larger or smaller, and yield more or less wool, 

 according to the nourishment which is given them, and the mode in which they 

 are treated. On the whole, they are smaller and less productive than the original 

 ones in Spain. The Saxon Government, aware of this, has established public 

 schools for shepherds, and distributed among the country people several publica- 

 tions, containing useful instructions for the treatment of sheep. 



The winter food of the Saxon Merinos consists of hay, lattermath, clover, oat 

 or rye-straw, haulm of peas, vetches, lentils, &c. ; which are distributed twice or 

 thrice a day, according to their quality. Some cultivators give oil-cake, and bran 

 or com bruised or ground into meal. They mix these articles in a tub with the 

 water which they give the sheep to drink, and afterwards divide among them the 

 more substantial sediment. This mixture, which they find singularly beneficial to 

 the lambs, should be made with hot water ; and seven or eight poimds of cake or 

 VOL. v, 3 G 



