The Cone-bearing Trees. 
167 
long, coarse wool, were crossed with Lincolns, and the progeny was 
much improved both in carcass and in wool. The increase of the 
stock became marked with the diffusion of the long-wool strain ; 
from 23,000 in 1855, it rose to 100,077 in 1883. In 1884, in accord- 
ance with a new law, 20,010 acres were taken by Government, 
the run being now reduced to 45,036 acres, 9,000 of which are 
useless. The sheep stock was reduced to 70,000 or 75,000 head. 
After 1882 the demand for Lincolns increased rapidly, the freezing 
of mutton greatly helping to spread that breed. The weight of 
wool has also increased, the average return from 70,000 sheep being 
—for 1883, 5-14 ; 1884, 4-95 ; 1885, 4'94 ; 1886, 5-28 ; 1887, 605 ; 
1888, 6-12 ; 1889, 5-34; 1890, 6-45; 1891, 6-32 ; 1892, 6-03 lb. 
per fleece. The wool is clean, and washes out 58 to 65 per cent, of 
scoured wool, valued in Liverpool in 1893, first Lincolns, 8 d. to 8j<7. ; 
second, 8 \d. to 8^cf. ; third, 8 d. to 8|cf. per lb. 
The type of sheep aimed at by the breeders is one of smaller size 
than the Lincoln, carrying a fine woollen fleece of lustrous lock and 
bearing the same character of wool all over the body, the face and 
legs being as much covered with wool as in the Merino. Ewes 
give up to 21 lb. of wool, rams from 16 to 28 lb. The run is 
administered in two head stations. The southern station is well 
wooded with indigenous and imported trees, and is not at all like 
the generally uninteresting character of the Pampas. For house 
consumption 450 acres are kept under cultivation with lucerne and 
maize, which provide the more valuable stock with winter food. 
Tobacco is also grown for dipping purposes. The soil is capable of 
growing all the vegetable produce necessary to an advanced system 
of stock raising. 
From the photographs of the Lincoln sheep bred by Messrs. Gibson 
it is evident that they have been brought to great perfection, and do 
credit to the enterprising owners of this typical station. We can only 
hope that efforts such as theirs may eventually raise the Argentine 
Republic from the unfortunate position into which speculators and 
politicians have brought it. 
J. H. Thorold. 
Syston Park, Grantham. 
II. THE CONE-BEARING TREES. 
That the cone-bearing trees, members of the Natural Order Coniferce , 
should afford abundant material for an instructive Conference is a 
matter that will surprise no one who has ever bestowed more than 
a moment’s thought upon their utility and their beauty ; nor is it to 
be wondered at that the report of such a Conference should occupy 
an entire volume of the official organ 1 of the Royal Horticultural 
Society, under whose auspices the two days’ meeting at the Chiswick 
Gardens was held. 
1 Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society, vol. xiv., 1892. Report of 
the Conifer Conference. Pp. vi + 588. Paper covers. Offices: 117, Victoria 
Street, S.W. 15s. 6r7. 
