138 Sheep-Farming 



The Merino types and the Rambouillet have ad- 

 vantages over the British breeds in special resistance 

 to the effects of close herding and in being somewhat 

 less susceptible to injury from internal parasites. 

 The fine wool at times commands high prices. 

 They adapt themselves to a wide variety of soil 

 conditions. Wool is a staple product and easily 

 and safely held. 



Depending solely upon wool to repay expense 

 of keeping and furnish revenue from land is a safe 

 venture in few if any parts of the United States. 

 Some breeders will doubtless continue to raise the 

 heavy-folded and light-bodied types for use in breed- 

 ing for more commercial types, but economical farm 

 practice must place some reliance on the mutton value 

 of the increase and old breeding-stock. If wool 

 is to be made the first consideration and mutton a 

 secondary one, profitable tj^es can be found in the 

 Delaine and Rambouillet breeds. 



Where meat-production is paramount, the choice 

 lies between the British long-wool and middle-wool 

 groups of breeds. The former come to market 

 conditions at rather heavier weights than are most 

 popular in the meat trade. The long-wool breeds 

 grow rapidly and, when grown, fatten easily. Their 

 wool is in special demand in some years, and their 

 long breeding under the conditions described gives 

 them inherent qualities that adapt them to corre- 

 sponding conditions elsewhere. 



