ORDER VIII. THE RUMIXAXTIA. ;il.t7 



trails on tlie ground, so as to efface the prints made by the animal's 

 feet. 



Our diiiiicstic breeds are, of course, reproductions of tiie Piriti.-li, with 

 some varieties produced by crossing;', especially with the Merino, or Oris 

 /tispanica, or a Spanisli breed. This sheep is distinguished by bearing wool 

 on the foreliead and cheeks. The horns are very large and ponderous, and 

 conviihUed laterally. The wool is tine, long, soft, and twisted in sjiiral 

 ringlets, and, being extremely oily, tiie dust and other impurities adhere, 

 giving the animal a dingy and unclean appearance, which does not convey 

 an idea of superiority ; but when this is removed, the unsullied purencss 

 and fineness of the wool become nianiiest. Many dilfereut Ijrecds exist ; 

 but the best is supposed to be those of Cavagno and Xegrote. These are kept 

 during the winter in particidar districts of milder climate, and are travelled 

 int(^ other districts to lie t^horn, and again removed to the most fu'orablc 

 grazing stations. The Pyrenean races arc rather more hardy, but yield a 

 remarkably fine wool. According to ]\Ir. Young's communication in the 

 Annals of Agriculture, four she[)licrds, and from I'our to six large Spanish 

 dogs, have the care of a Hock or herd. The head shepherd kee[is on tlie 

 mountain-top, or an elevated spot, where he can better see around, while 

 the flock bi'owscs on the declivities. The extreme docility of these sheej) 

 is worthy <.if notice. The sliepherd moves among them without in the least 

 disturbing them ; and when he wants an individual for any purpose, he 

 has only to speak to it and hold out his hand, and it will follow him 

 wherever he goes. 



Spain exports between 9,000,000 and 10,000,000 pounds of IMcrino 

 wool annually. This sheep, and crosses of the same with other breeds, 

 have become common in the United States, which promises to become the 

 most extensive sheep-producing country in the world. Great Britain has 

 between 32,000,000 and 35,000,000; but the superior climate and pas- 

 turage, and greater extent of territory in this country, ought to place us ahead 

 of the world in this branch of agricultural production. ' The great west 

 can supply wool for every market on earth ; but in the eastern and western 

 states the sheep should be cultivated for its iiesli. Every farmer should 

 keep a number, according to the extent of his farm : for as the sheep will 

 t]iri\e on the most biUTcn soil, it litcrallv costs nothing to keep, cxcc[)t a 

 little labor, and therefore must be considered the most profitable animal 

 which the agriculturist can rear. To save the labor and space of long spe- 

 cific description, we subjoin a table of the breeds, with the produi'tion of 

 each in W(jol and flesh, at ditfercnt .ages, w^here the farmer can see at one 

 glance which breed will best suit his own particular wants : — 



