THE SHEEP. 
183 
bulk. It felts far better, and there is therefore a greater cohesion 
between the different fibers of the same thread, and between the differ- 
ent threads. It is also more pliable and elastic, and consequently less 
subject to “ breaking” and abrasion. 
“ Utdess ; the views I have advanced are singularly erroneous, it will be 
seen that, tor wool-growing purposes the Merino possesses a marked and 
decided superiority over the best breeds and families of coarse-wooled 
sheep. As a mutton sheep, it is inferior to some of those breeds, but not 
so much so as is generally supposed. If required to consume the fat and 
lean together, many who have never tasted Merino mutton, and, who have 
an unfavorable impression of it, would, I suspect, find it more palatable 
than the luscious and over-fat New Leicester. The mutton of the cross 
between the Merino and “ Native” sheep would certainly be preferred 
to the Leicester, by any body but an English laborer used to the latter 
It is short-grained, tender, and of good flavor. The same is true of the 
crosses with English varieties. These will be hereafter, more particularly 
alluded to. Grade Merino wethers (half-bloods) are favorites with the 
Northern drover and butcher. They are of good size— extraordinarily 
heavy tor their apparent bulk*— make good mutton— tallow well— and 
their pelts from the greater weight of wool on them, command an extra 
price. i hey would, m my opinion, furnish a mutton every wav suitable 
tor plantation consumption, and one which would be well accepted in 
the Southern markets. 1 
In speaking of the Merino in this connection, I have in all cases 
unless it is distinctly specified to the contrary, had no reference to the 
Saxons— though they are, as it is well known, pure-blooded descendents 
ot the former. 
GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP.— Their Summer Management.-The 
change in spring from dry to succulent food, produces in all sheep a 
certain degree of scouring, and which, if precautions have not been taken 
to guard against it, soils the wool on the hinder parts of sheep, and its 
subsequent removal becomes difficult. To prevent this, every sheep 
before bein^ turned to grass in the spring should have that portion of 
the wool which is liable thus to become soiled carefully clipped away 
including that which immediately surrounds the roots of the tail, covers 
tue thighs, the bags of the ewes, etc. This operation saves the wool, which 
would otherwise be lost, the animal much subsequent suffering, and the 
owner much labor. Tagging sheep, therefore, should not be neglected 
by any careful shepherd. 
It is scarcely necessary to say that the fields in which sheep are to run 
should be carefully cleaned of every variety of burr, by which so much 
wool is annually lost in this country, being so matted together with them 
as to be ot little comparative value. 
Care ill the handling Of sheep should always be exercised. They never 
should be lilted by the wool, for, as the skin adheres so loosely: it is 
otten separated from the body by the act of lifting, and blood has often 
been found settled beneath the parts thus improperly handled. The legs 
or necks of sheep are the parts by which only they should be seized: 
* On account of tho shortness of their wool, compared with the coarse breede. 
