76 Domestic ANIMALS. 
8. The Sawon Merino Breed.—The Saxon Merinos are de- 
scended from the Spanish, having been imported from Spain 
into Saxony in 1765. They have been considerably modified 
by their German breeding, the German shepherds having 
sacrificed hardiness, and indeed almost everything else, to fine- 
ness of staple. 
There arg very few flocks of pure Saxon sheep in the United 
States, the importations in several instances having been grade 
sheep, although sold as pure stock. Most flocks have again 
been crossed with Native or Spanish Merino sheep or with 
both; but the mixed breed thus produced, which we may call 
the American Saxons, have so long been bred toward the Sax- 
ons, that their wool equals that of the pure breed. They are 
hardier than the parent German stock, but still comparatively 
tender, requiring regular supplies of good food, protection from 
storms of all kinds, and good shelter in winter. In docility, 
patience under confinement, late maturity, and longevity, they 
resemble the Spanish Merinos.* 
4. The New Leicester Breed.—This celebrated English breed 
comprehends the most excellent of the breed of Mr. Bakewell, 
their great improver, and of Mr. Culley’s variety or improve- 
ment upon it. “The principal recommendations of this 
breed,” Culley says, “are its beauty and its fullness of form; 
in the same apparent dimensions greater weight than any other 
sheep; an early maturity and a propensity to fatten equaled by 
no other breed; a diminution of the proportion of offal, and 
the return of the most money for the food consumed.” 
“The wool of the New Leicester,” according to Randall, “is 
long, averaging, after the first shearing, about six inches, and 
the fleece of the American animal weighs about six pounds, It 
is of a coarse quality, and is little used in the manufacture of 
cloths. As a combing wool, however, it stands first, and is 
used in the manufacture of the finest worsteds, ete.” 
In England, the mutton of this breed is in great demand, and 
* Randall. 
