SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN TEXAS. 311 



of those introduced from France into the United States, within a fe\* 

 years, have not been characteristic specimens of tlie variety in either of 

 these particulars. They have been exaixgerated specimens or caricaturea 

 of the breed. They were those exceptional animals to be found in all 

 flocks, larger and heavier-fleeced than the great body of those flocks, j 

 apprehend also that some of them were exceptional in certain other 

 particulars, as for example, in that enormous " throatiness" which renders 

 them such a marvel to the multitude. 



There is no doubt, however, that as a variety, the French Merinos are 

 larger and heavier-fleeced than any other Merino family. But in respect 

 to fleece,* the best of them do not excel the best American Merino as 

 much as in weight of carcass ; in other words, they do not produce as 

 much wool in proportion to size, and, accordingly, to consumption. 

 There are two causes for this. The first is, their wool has, for reasons 

 which I can not explain, been bred proportionably short. As some very 

 remarkable misconceptions appear to pi'evail on this particular point, let 

 me state a positive and tangible fact for which I am willing to be held 

 responsible. I recently (to test the accuracy of previous impressions and 

 experiences) carefully measured, lying unstretched on a table, fifteen 

 specimens of French Merino wool, taken indiscriminately (with the aid 

 of the owner) from the sheared fleeces of one year's growth of a pure 

 blood flock, descended from prime sheep of Mr. Taintor's importation, 

 and considered by French breeders prime sheep of the variety. The 

 fifteen specimens averaged a little less than two inches in length. I have 

 owned French sheep from the best imported flocks, have seen hundreds, 

 if not thousands, of others, and they have been abnost uniformly rather 

 short- wool! ed sheep — shorter woolled than the longest stapled American 

 Merino flocks. 



The second reason for the comparative lightness of French fleeces, is 

 their dryness — their freedom from oil and gum. Though there are ^ex- 

 ceptions, there is a constant tendency in this direction among them, and 

 \mless care be taken in breeding to prevent it, the wool becomes almost as 

 dry as cotton, aud then the fleece has no proportionate weight for its bulk. 

 The diflerence in appearance and handling between such and good 

 American wool is very analogous to that between American and choice 

 Italian sewing-silk. The fii'st, in both cases, even when the actual fine- 

 ness (diameter) is the same, is comparatively light, unelastic, unglossy, 

 and " cheap looking." I have sometimes fancied that the pile or tibre ol 

 the American Merino wool is actually denser and heavier of its size than 

 the French, independently of all extraneous substances. This, however, 

 may be but a fancy. 



French wool washes much cleaner than the oily and gummy American 

 Merino wools ; and I think more slowly recovers its maximum of oiiiness, 

 after being washed on the back. 



The overgrown animals of a variety, are rarely of good form. Henco 

 not a few of the imported French sheep, aud their immediate descen- 

 dants, when denuded of their fleeces, Avere most unsightly, scraggy, 

 " lathy ' animals, excessively bony, crooked in the back, bad in the cross, 

 (that is, hollow behind the shoulders,) and so thin in the chest, that both 

 forelegs seemed, in horseman's phrase, to "come out at the same hole." 

 The last defect is perhaps rather characteristic of the variety ; but I have 

 seen not only individuals, but flocks of French sheep, of mciderate size, as 

 well formed in every otlier particular, and perhaps even in that, as any 

 other family ' i Merinos. 



