68 THE EAMBOUILLET' 



The Eambouillet flock, after surviving many vicissitudes 

 during the French Eevolution and subsequent reconstruction 

 period, wslS the subject of close attention and care on the part of 

 the French authorities, _ an exact record being kept and every 

 means taken to insure its well-being. About 1834 several of the 

 English mutton breeds were imported into France. The cross 

 of those on Merinos being favorably thought of by the French 

 agriculturists induced the management of the Eamboviillet flock 

 to increase the size of their sheep, the increase being obtained 

 solely by selection and feeding, thus maintaining the purity of 

 the breed. In 1850, continuing these methods, the Ram- 

 bouillets had become large in carcass, but less robust in constitu- 

 tion, accompanied also with a diminution of the fleece. To over- 

 come the last two defects a return to original conditions became 

 necessary, the Kegretti type becoming the favorite, till in 1867, 

 the flock improved in regard to the production of wool, and be- 

 came able to support itself exclusively on' pasture, and endure 

 the hardships incidental to weather changes and dry seasons, for 

 which the high feeding and long continued pampering had 

 almost ruined it. 



The first importation of Eambouillets to the United States 

 was made by D. C. Collins of Hartford, Conn., in 1840, who 

 succeeded in obtaining two rams and twenty ewes. Later, in 

 1846, a Mr. John A. Taintor secured two rams and seven ewes 

 from the Gilbert flock; these were also brought to Connecticut, 

 subsequently being purchased by A. L. Bingham of Cornwall, 

 Vt. These first importations did not prove popular, however, 

 and it was not till some years later that this particular class of 

 Merino found favor among the flock-owners of this country. 



The Eambouillet Association was organized in March, 1890, 

 the list of members and number of animals recorded increasing 

 year by year. 



