CLIMATIC INFLUENCES. Ill 



herd may lose great opportunities of improving his flock by 

 missing the best medium for so doing. 



Among the most effective causes of variations we may 

 mention the influence of climate, soils, and other influences 

 growing out of them. It cannot be doubted that the success 

 of the American Merino has been largely due to the more 

 suitable climate here, and as well to the soil of the localities 

 where they have made the greatest success. It is the same 

 with other localities. For instance, the high-bred horses 

 nowhere do as well as in Kentucky, where the limestone soil, 

 the moderate climate, and the blue grass pastures, all com- 

 bine to give constitution and -stamina, with the endurance 

 owing to these which are secured no\vhere else to the same 

 degree in the world. So the Kentucky Shorthorn cattle 

 have excelled in every way their imported parents, and in re- 

 gard to sheep, it is found everywhere, that the American 

 Merino is the first of its class in the world. Wiith the same care 

 and skill applied to other breeds, we may unfailingly expect 

 to advance these breeds to a like high point, if only the same 

 skill and good judgment are exercised in regard to them. 



Climate is cne of the most effective influences for good 

 or evil on the sheep. While the sheep is a cosmopolitan, 

 and thrives everywhere to the satisfaction of the shepherd, 

 yet the most favorable influences in any new country must 

 be secured for the i mined iate success of introduced varieties 

 of sheep. That the American climate (including Canada 

 with the United States in this continental application) pos- 

 sesses a special adaptation to breeding and keeping of sheep 

 with entire and immediate success, is unquestionable. There 

 are ample proofs of this in the history of every kind of sheep 

 that has been imported and bred. The American Merino has 

 found purchasers at the highest prices in competition with 

 the sheep of every other country in which the Merino is 

 bred. The English breeds have prospered equally with our 

 Merino, and there is no reason why every valuable breed of 

 sheep, whether adapted to mountain* or valley; the open 

 range, or cultivated farm; the marshes, even; may not be- 

 come a means for the profitable investment of capital, and 

 an occupation for the labor of the shepherd, as well as for 

 the manufacturing industry and the employment of labor in 

 disposing of our wool. 



