88 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



"The industry is still in its infancy in America and much is yet 

 to be learned concerning it. Present indications point out a gradual 

 progress which is most desirable. 



"The U. S. Department of Agriculture, in its work at the Experi- 

 mental Farm at Beltsville, Maryland, found that the karakul cross upon 

 the American merino was unsatisfactory from a fur standpoint. Results 

 from private flocks confirm this finding. This crossing has extended 

 to include more of the breeds, and indications are that none of the 

 close-wool sheep give satisfactory results, especially in the first crosses. 

 Good results have been reported from breeding karakul rams to 

 coarser wooUed ewes of the Lincoln and Cotswold breeds. What can 

 be developed from higher crosses containing a higher percentage of 

 karakul blood remains to be seen. The karakul-barbado cross was 

 also tried at Beltsville. The barbado is called the wooUess sheep and 

 the first cross resulted in a failure so far as curl was concerned, although 

 the lustre was all that could be desired. In November, 1913, the skins 

 of eight lambs sired by a karakul ram, and out of first cross karakul- 

 barbado ewes, were sent to New York for valuation. One skin was 

 appraised at fifty cents and one at $10.00. The average value of the 

 eight skins was $4.75. The work is being continued and the higher 

 karakul crosses are being produced. If the high fecimdity of the bar- 

 bado can be maintained in these crosses and the fur improved by con- 

 tinually using pure bred karakul sires, this may prove the means of in- 

 creasing the amount of karakul blood in America. Some Cotswold and 

 Lincoln ewes are now being bred to a karakul ram. 



"The method of removal and treatment of the lamb skin should be 

 as follows: — Cut a straight line down the belly, and also cut down 

 on the inside of the legs to meet the centre line. Do not cut off any 

 portion of the skin, leave on the ears, nose and tail to the tip. Be 

 careful not to make imnecessary cuts. Stretch skin evenly on a board, 

 fur side down, and dry in a cool place. Do not salt the skin or double 

 it up for shipment purposes. The principal object is to avoid cracking 

 the skin. See that it is properly shaped when naEed down to the 

 board and thoroughly dried before shipping. Do not sun-dry the skin. 



"The high price of breeding stock is, at the present time, a deterrent 

 influence upon the industry. Such pure bred rams as are available 

 ' have sold at from $500.00 to $1,000.00 each. Ewes are somewhat 

 cheaper. When buying breeding rams be careful to get pure bred 

 animals. Some breeders claim that as good results can be obtained 

 by the use of half-blood stock, but this has not yet been established. 

 It is advisable to buy only such rams as have already demonstrated their 

 ability to sire skins of value." 



