184 FINE WOOL SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 
killed. They had fleshy tumors on their necks, and 
we were told by many that it was owing to high keep- 
ing; we did not believe it then, and have since proved 
that it was transmitted by the sire. To construct the 
next to the last column (in subjoined table) we divided 
the carcass by the fleece ; and to construct the last col- 
umn, we added ciphers to the amount of wool and 
divided it by the gross weight. We conceived that to 
be the proper method. If it is not, it can readily be 
reconstructed, as we are confident that the weights in 
all other respects are absolutely accurate. You will 
not fail to notice that the 26 wethers in the first class, 
fuur years old, gave a greater per cent. than those 
three years old, and those of from 110 to 121 pounds 
in weight more than those above or below that weight. 
Those two exceptions comprise the same sheep. Were 
these two excluded, the column of percentage would 
gradually decrease from yearlings to four-years old, 
aud from 43 to 138. Were these four-years old not 
subdivided, the percentage would be 5.58, and we do 
not know but that, if the classes above were subdivi- 
ded in the same way, it would be with similar results. 
If you can think of any way in which our data can be 
any more thoroughly elaborated, please inform us, and 
we will do it with the greatest pleasure. 
Respectfully yours, 
Sweet Brorters. 
Note to the Messrs. Sweet's statement: The American Merino ram, whose 
measurements are given in Petri’s table, weighed, in fair ordinary condi- 
tion, and with between nine and ten months fleece on, 1221bs. He has 
yielded an unwashed fleece, of one year’s growth, of 20 Ibs.120z. Tis 
wool is not unusually yolky, andhe has very little externalgum. Here, 
then, we have, on a moderate estimate, a pound unwashed wool for less 
than five and one-half pounds of carcass, 
