958 



SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



In the fall of 1878 we commenced breeding lighter-fleeced Merino bncks with 

 freer wool, less yolk, and black top. The sereu-eighths Merino and fifteen-six- 

 teenths crosses were no gain, rather a loss from the three-fourths, but better wool. 

 It has fully demonstrated the fact. The first two crosses gave the best results, and 

 there is where we should have stopped; after passing the three-fourths cross they 

 became more effeminate, poorer milkers and mothers, lambs more weakly. 



In 1881 we bought a thoroughbred Shropshire buck from J. B. Hoyt, of Solano 

 County, used him in the manner the table indicates; his blood gave us larger and 

 more vigorous sheep. Our one-half Merino, one-half Shropshire, gave us larger sheep 

 than Merino and Southdown of the same grade, good mothers and extra milkers. 

 In my judgment, our three-fourths Merino, one-fourth Southdown, and the one-half 

 Merino, one-half Shropshire, were the best sheep we ever bred. My preference is the 

 one-half Merino, one-half Shropshire, as the best all-round sheep we ever bred. 



Since 1888 we have been breeding a coarser and larger variety, aiming at about 

 three-eighths Merino, five-eighths Shropshire. Mutton has more largely entered into 

 consumption in our food centers in this State, ruling higher than beef; with our 

 depleted flocks it wiU continue to. So it now behooves the sheep-grower to produce 

 a sheep that will yield a large carcass, mature early, and as much good free wool as 

 he can get on it. 



The one-half Merino, one-half Southdown cross gave us 7.86 pounds. The same 

 Merino and Shropshire gave us five-eighths of a pound more, though the style of 

 breeding was different. The first was Merino buck and Southdown ewe. The sec- 

 ond. Merino ewe and Shropshire buck. It is an undisputed fact among intelligent 

 stock-breeders that the female imparts more of her qualities than the male, hence 

 the difference of wool yield. 



