670 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



are composed, and this being the fact it must be the basis upon which all improve- 

 ments must bo made so as to utilize what we now have.* 



The ewes of the native breed crossed by imported rams through sev- 

 eral generations prodnce flocks better suited to the climate and sur- 

 roundings of the country than any that can be imj)orted. They form 

 the surest and best foundation upon wliich to build up flocks suited to 

 the conditions of the climate and the habits of the farmer. In this 

 connection Prof. Killebrew makes an apt quotation from Darwin: 



lu producing animals for butchering it is always profitable to cross native breeds 

 with larger and more precocious ones; providing, of course the feed and care are 

 suitable for the development of larger animals. Native animals are always a correct 

 expression of the feed and care which the farmers of a locality bestow upon their 

 stock; and native animals will do better with that feed and care than any others, 

 because they were produced by it and are exactly adapted to it. Therefore, before 

 iutroduciug improved stock, farmers should consider whether they can give them, 

 the food and care which they require, otherwise disappointment and loss are almost 

 certain. 



The most common and profitable use of crossing has been to improve common 

 breeds of animals, or rather to transform them into the improved breeds. This has 

 become so common iu all parts of the country, that it is not necessary to dwell upon 

 it; it is never amiss, however, to remind farmers that improved animals always 

 need improved care and feed. Five or six crosses with careful selection will trans- 

 form almost any scrub animals into thoroughbreds, or into animals that can not be 

 distinguished from thoroughbreds, and which for all practical purposes are equal to 

 them. It would, then, require but a few years of united endeavor to cause the scrub 

 animals to disappear from every part of our country, and animals as good as our best 

 thoroughbreds to take their place, were it not for the increased requirements of such 

 animals, and the apparent impossibility of so suddenly modifying our agriculture 

 as to provide the necessary conditions for their existence. 



The suggestions thus thrown out by Prof. Darwin have been fol- 

 lowed by many breeders of east and middle Tennessee with marked suc- 

 cess, and some, experiments with the Merino and Cotswold may be 

 given from the pen of Mr. Orntchfleld. His first practical experience 

 with sheep commenced in 1864, and continued for over twenty-five 

 years. He had been accustomed to the native sheep of the State and 

 had never seen any of the improved breeds until he saw some Cots- 

 wolds owned by James P. Johnson, of Laurel Hill, Williamson County. 

 Writing in 1878, Mr. Crutchfield says: 



In 1861 1 purchased a lot of native ewes, and was fortunate in getting the use of a 

 superior Spanish Merino ram, bred by K. Peters, of Atlanta, Ga., to cross upon them, 

 which cross gave great improvement in carcass, form, and fleece, covering the naked 

 places of tlic natives, and making the fleece much more dense, and the fiber finer 

 and stronger. 



I saved the ewe lambs of the cross and bred them to an improved Kentucky buck, 

 bred by Eobcrt W. Scott, of Frankfort, Ky., wliich increased the size of carcass, 

 and gave greater length and yield of wool. 



The ewe lambs ofhis get were bred to the best Cotswold buck I could procure, 

 American breed and imported; never using one buck long er than two years, and 



* Letter of Thomas Crutchfield to Prof. J. B. Killebrew. Sheep Husbandry in 

 Tennessee. 



