270 



SHEEP INDUSTEY OF THE UNITED STATES 



regarding the history and tendency of the improvement Mr. Bernard- 

 iue replied : 



From 1840 the object was to produce Merinos of which the animals were at the 

 same time valuable for slaughtering and for the production of wool. The fleece 

 ceased to be the entirely predominating consideration in the choice reproducing ani- 

 mals. The chief end was plumj) and well-developed forms, and by a rich regimen 

 animals were obtained, about 1850, having very large weight, but which were very 

 exacting and less robust, and the fleece of which was not in relation with their 

 weight, either as to quantity or quality of wool. The end in view, the mutton, had 

 almost destroyed the folds, whirh, with the exception of a few subjects, scarcely 

 comprised more than those of the neck, and the result was to diminish the value of 

 the animals in the eyes of foreigners. Shortly after 1850 these errors were renounced, 

 and etforts were made to bring the floct baot to its true and ancient type by making 

 choice more with regard to wool, and repudiating the exaggeration of development 

 in the choice of reproducing animals and the superabundant and onerous feeding 

 that had been practiced to attain this end. The Negretti type again acquired im- 

 portance and the folds they bore were no longer excluded, but sought after rather as 

 characters essential to animals furnishing the richest fleeces, and corresponding bet- 

 ter with the desire of foreigners, who came to Rambouillet to seek reproducing ani- 

 mals. It was esi^ecially since 1867 that the improvement of the flock has realized 

 marked progress with regard to production of wool, and a return to their primitive 

 aptitude to live exclusively on pasture and to support intemperate conditions, and 

 the privations resulting from dry seasons and the natural aridity of pasturage. 



The average weight of unsheared rams has been as follows : 



Pounds. 



In 1786 110 to 120 



Inl801 114 



In 1802 131 



In 1847 201 



In 1851 171i 



In 1867 1921 



In 1878 ISd-pu 



For ewes tn ;iverage weight has been as follows: 



Pounds. 



In 1786 72 to 88 



In 1801 d3{i 



In 1802 96ii 



In 1847 128-,\ 



In 1851 llDfu 



In 1867 135-1% 



In 1878 115^3^ 



In 1786 the height of these sheep ranged from 24 to 30 inches. In 

 1801 and 1802 the height, length, and girth were as here shown: 



