538 Supplement to Dr. Parry's Essay 



stocked with sheep having at least 4 crosses of fine-wooUed rams. In consequence 

 of my having two years ago begun to breed from the 80 ewes above specified, all 

 of which had a cross of the new Leicester blood, many years must elapse before 

 such a selection can take place in my flock. Every year will however bring me 

 somewhat nearer to the ultimate result. 



Of that intelligent man and experienced farmer, Mr. Birkbeck, I have more 

 than once had occasion to speak. It was, I think, in the year 1803, '^''^ ^^ ^^^^ 

 began to obtain from my flock Merino-Ryeland rams, with which he has ever 

 since annually crossed six or seven hundred South Down ewes and their 

 descendants. The following are the observations on this subject, contained in a 

 letter which I have this day received from him. " The fleeces of the first cross 

 " (washed) are to the parent South Downs, as 6 to 5 in weight, and as 3 to 2 in 

 " value per pound. Thus, 



100 South Down fleeces, 2\\\i. each, at 2s. = 25I. 

 100 First cross 31b. at 3s. = 45I. 



" So much for wool ; and were it not for the air of extravagance it might give 

 " my statement, I should add, that there is an evident improvement as to use- 

 " fulness of form and disposition to fatten in a large proportion of individuals. 

 " I had the courage to exhibit at Lord Somerville's shew, in March last, five ewe- 

 " hogs from your rams, and the honour to bear away the prize from all com- 

 " petitors, by the merit of carcase and fleece jointly. On the whole, I believe that 

 " the improvement of the wool may go on, without detriment to the carcase, until 

 " we shall obtain a breed of sheep with Spanish fleeces and English constitutions ; 

 " but I am also convinced that this must be the result of careful and judicious 

 " selection." 



The information contained in this report is well worthy of public attention. In 

 the wool produce of 100 South Down sheep, from one cross only with Merino- 

 Ryeland rams^ there was 20I. increase of value, which is equal to 80I. per cent. 

 proSt ; and that on a carcase, which, instead of being deteriorated, was for the 

 most part improved by the admixture. 



In order at once to exhibit the increase in point of carcase which has taken place 

 in my own flock, as well as to afford a comparative estimate of their capacity of 

 growth relatively to that of those which spring from a new and additional cross of 

 the pure Merino, I may relate the following experiment. 



