318 
THE CULTIVATOR 
Oct. 
Imperial Establishment at Rambouillet for the 
Breeding of Merino Sheep. 
Probably some of our readers may derive a few 
useful hints from the following items of information 
in regard to the above very celebrated establishment 
in France, which are derived from an account of a 
visit paid to it in the month of July last, given in the 
North British Agriculturist of Aug. 6. 
The above-named national establishment for the 
breeding of the pure Merino sheep has heen in exis¬ 
tence for nearly seventy years, during which time the 
greatest possible attention has been generally bestowed 
to maintain the Merino in the highest state of cultiva¬ 
tion. In the year 1786 the King of Spain made a 
present to the King of France of a small flock of Me¬ 
rinos. These upon their arrival in France were sent 
to the farm connected with the domains of the Royal 
Castle of Rambonillet where the stock has sinc a re¬ 
ceived every care in order to keep it up to its original 
perfection, or improve it if possible. The establishment 
at R. is about 30 miles from Paris. 
In judging of the excellence of particular animals, 
the following points seem to be most particularly 
attended to. The horn is much looked to in determin¬ 
ing value, and open horns, not too closely placed to¬ 
gether in the head, are especially esteemed. The ex¬ 
pression of the eye should be placid and mild ; the 
upper lip thin and flexible and the lower lip thick and 
firm. The skin should be loose on the face and neck. 
At the top of the head, and where the head and neck 
join, there is a pad of gristle. This is hard and slightly 
movable in its place. This development increases 
with the age of the buck, and is another element in 
judging of value, being an indication of energy of 
constitution. 
The form of the body of the Merino in most esteem 
may be best understood from the following measure¬ 
ments which are those of two of the best specimens of 
bucks. 
Buck 32 mos. old 
Height at shoulder,....31 inches 
Length of body from top of 
tail to the horns...........32 u (?) 
Breadth of horns,.20 “ 
Length of head, ............ 13 “ 
Girth of body,..............43 “ 
Breadth of hooks,.... ...... 
Girth of foreleg above knee,. 
Girth below the knee,...... ,3| “ 
Buck 20 mos. old 
30£ inches. 
39 “ 
9.2 « 
11 
40| 
8J 
3f 
The average weights of the four quarters after be 
ing slaughtered were, of males 56 lbs., of ewes 52 lbs. 
But it must be taken into consideration that sheep in 
France are not fattened to the same stats as with us. 
Consequently additional weight per quarter may be 
safely allowed. 
The number of sheep at Rambouillet on the 31st of 
July last was 620, of which 118 were males and the 
remainder females. Previous to the last sale there 
were upwards of 700 sheep. Of those sold, 30 bucks 
were for Austria and 40 were taken off by breeders in 
different departments of France. The average price 
of the bucks was a little above $100 (£ 20 ) each. The 
price was $400. There were purchased by 
private sale for America 16 ewes and 1 buck. The 
price of the ewes was $20 (.£4) each. 
As wool, not flesh, constitutes the value of the Me¬ 
rino, they must be judged of mainly by the value of 
the fleece. Lambs are usually dropped in November 
and December, and the shearing commences in June. 
The first clip is therefore from sheep about eight months 
old. The average weight of the fleece of males at this 
age is 3£ lbs., and that of females at the same age of 
8 months, 3 lbs. A deduction must be made from the 
above as the sheep are never washed. The deduction 
on this account may however be counterbalanced by 
the fact that the wool on the head, neck and legs of 
the young sheep is not clipped. This covering of wool 
is found to be essential for the health of the young 
sheep, to protect the head from the heat of summer, and 
from the cold of winter. The average weight of fleece 
in males 20 months old is usually 14 lbs. The average 
weight of fleece in females from 20 months to six 
years old from 8 to nine lbs., or 8£ lbs. After six 
years the weight of the ewe fleece falls off. The ewe 
produces the finest quality of wool. 
The following is an outline of the method of breed¬ 
ing and keeping the sheep at Rambouillet. The best 
bucks are selected for service, but are not retained for 
more than two, or at most, three seasons. The ewes 
are generally set aside after having three crops of 
lambs ; but those ewes which produce superior fleeces 
are kept one or two seasons additional. The inferior 
males are not used at all. 
The flock at R. is kept housed from November to 
April; and during the rest of the year the ewes are 
turned out to pasture in the morning and again in the 
afternoon after rest and shelter at noon; while the 
bucks are turned out only in the afternoon. During 
rains all are kept to the house. Every care is taken to 
prevent the sheep getting wet—wetness and damp¬ 
ness being found to act prejudicially against the fine¬ 
ness of the fleece. “ As the same care is taken with 
the Merino in Saxony, it may be held as established 
by experience that extreme fineness of fleece is only 
attainable by studying to protect the sheep from wet 
and damp.” If this is as important as the above-quo¬ 
ted opinion would represent, then it is essential that 
those who are desirous of improving the fleece of any 
breed, should not only drain their lands to protect them 
from any under-dampness, but should provide less or 
more shelter for the sheep, according to the character 
of the breed. 
The houses for the sheep are large buildings with 
granaries above. The ceilings of the house for the 
sheep are lofty, and ventilation is secured by windows 
placed high in the walls. These windows are protected 
with iron grating, and with wooden shutters for closing 
when necessary. The floors are bedded with straw 
frequently renewed. 
During winter the sheep are fed three times in the 
day. Twice a day they are allowed a mixture of oats 
and barley,—two-thirds oats and one-third barley. 
The quantity allowed daily is on© litre, or about two 
