158 PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 



The kind of sheep most desirable, on the whole, in any 

 given case, depends chiefly on the surface, character 

 and fertility of the farm and its location. At too great 

 a distance from a good meat market to allow of a profit- 

 able sale of the carcass, the Spanish Merino is doubt- 

 less to be preferred, but if nearer, the English breeds 

 will pay better. Mutton can be grown cheaper than 

 any other meat. It is daily becoming better apprecia- 

 ted, and strange as it may seem, good mutton brings a 

 higher price in our best markets than the same quality 

 does in England. Its substitution in a large measure 

 for pork would contribute materially to the health of 

 the community. 



Winter fattening of sheep may often be made very 

 profitable and deserves greater attention, especially 

 where manure is an object — (and where is it not ?) In 

 England it is considered good policy to fatten sheep if 

 the increase of weight will pay for the oil cake or grain 

 consumed ; the manure being deemed a fair equivalent 

 for the other food, that is, as much straw and turnips 

 as they will eat. Lean sheep there usually command 

 as high a price per pound in the fall as fatted ones in 



