id 



The vigorous and healthy nature of the Rambouillet sheep 

 are well known ; he is a good feeder, and will thrive where 

 other sheep would suffer. In September, 1870, the stud 

 flock had to be travelled to Rennes (220 miles) in 18 days ; 

 and, although the ewes were with lamb of three months, they 

 all reached in perfect safety, and received no other food on 

 the road but what they could find, thus proving the hardiness 

 of this race. 



Longevity is also a noteworthy peculiarity of this breed. 

 As a rule ewes eight years old have to be set aside, owing to 

 the condition of their teeth preventing them feeding suffi- 

 ciently to give good production. At Rambouillet ewes 10 

 years old drop first-rate lambs, and their fleece does not show 

 any depreciation in value or weight. In 1875 six ewes, 10 

 years old, weighing 3qr. 2olb. each, gave at shearing 12 njoz. 

 of wool, being 12.25 P er cent, of their weight. 



Let us now examine the merino as a precocious animal. 

 The tables No. 3 and No. 4 will give it to us correctly. The 

 weights have been taken accurately every year on lots con- 

 sisting of 10 animals of both sexes. 



If we deduct the weight of the last shearing from that of 

 the sheep, we shall find that the ewes 29 months old are very 

 nearly as heavy as when 25 months, whence we may con- 

 clude that the full growth was ended at that period, as in the 

 case of the rams. In the previous notes I have tried to show 

 the purity of the Rambouillet sheep, and the advantages that 

 they present. 



I could have said more on this subject, but I might 

 encroach too much on the space which is allotted to me. 

 My intention is merely to give a summary of the nature of 

 sheep brought over for the Exhibition. I shall merely, in 

 conclusion, remind the reader that all animals sent by the 

 National Establishment of Rambouillet have the indelible 

 brand of that farm the ewes on the ear, the rams on the 

 horns. All have certificates bearing official record of their 

 age and pedigree. 



F. de SAVIGNON, 



Professor of Agriculture at the National Institute of Agricul- 

 ture of France, 



Commissioner for the French Government, 

 Delegate for the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce to 



the Sydney International Exhibition, 



Representative of the National Sheep Stud Farm of Ram- 

 bouillet. 



