Meriiio-Ryeland Breed of Sheep. 489 



CHAPTER VI. 



Management of Merino-Ryeland Sheep. Age and Season of Propagation. Modes 

 of admitting the Ram. Expediency of Housing the Ewes and Lambs. Me- 

 thods of effecting this Purpose. Quality and Quantity of Food : Hay-, Linseed; 

 Oil-cake; Grains-, Rouen; Turnips; Cabbage; drumhead, for Spring and 

 Winter; Mode of Cultivation ; early York and Battersea Cabbage for summer 

 Food; Rape; Carrots; Potatoes; Succory; fVinter and Spring Fetches; 

 Salt. 



i HE first object of inquiiy which presents itself, is the proper age and season of 

 propagation. Those who have the care of the Merino flock of Rambouillet, lay it 

 down as a principle, that, in order to insure the due growth of the progeny, and an 

 exuberant crop of wool, no sheep should be permitted to generate till 2^ years old ; 

 at which period they consider the growth of the animal as nearly completed. This 

 principle has been applied to rams as well as ewes, and seems to be justified by the 

 success of that flock, which in size of carcase, and weight of fleece, appears greatly 

 -to exceed any other of the same breed in the world. This practice is often followed 

 with regard to the ewes in many of our native varieties in England. On the con- 

 trary, M. C. Pictet, and some other writers, contend that this is a mere refinement 

 of luxury, occasioning great loss of time in multiplying the species, and being con- 

 trary to the instincts of nature, which are infallible. In point of retardation, the 

 charge may have some truth ; but the second position appears to me not conform, 

 able to experience, and therefore false. In a state of nature, much of animal as well 

 as of vegetable life is abortive and lost; but the Creator of the universe, who placed 

 us at the head of this world, and, at various tiines, has breathed into us a portion 

 of his spirit, made us his instruments for the general good. We are, therefore, 

 required to apply his laws, so far as he hath permitted us to see them, to the per- 

 fection and happiness of all the beings which it hath pleased him to subject to our 

 controul. In the human race we find that the sexual appetite precedes the capacity 

 of propagation; and that too early connection not only produces degenerate 

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