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and deteriorates from its value. The value of the coarse-wooled breeds 
consists in early maturity, and in the cheapness and facility whereby 
they may be fattened. It is obvious, then, that if a sheep secrete the 
feet-forming principle of its food within the body, rather than upon its 
covering, a serious waste is prevented. It is, then, more profitable to 
make mutton with coarse-wooled than with fine-wooled sheep—though, 
at maturity, fine-wooled sheep make excellent mutton, but always at a 
greater expense than the coarse. I am aware, that there are those who 
would palm off upon the inexperienced, sheep at high prices, which they 
claim possess all the valuable qualities of a mutton, and a fine-wooled 
sheep. No man should allow himself to be deceived by any such ab¬ 
surdity. 
Fine-Wooled Siieep. — The Merino .—All fine-wooled sheep should 
properly be classed as Merino, for that breed is properly the origin of 
the several varieties before named. It is the most remarkable of all the 
animals which a kind Providence lias given to man for his necessities or 
his luxuries. Its origin is undoubtedly contemporaneous with the ox and 
horse, and most, if not all the animals which are now domesticated. 
There is no reason to doubt that the Merino, as a distinct breed, existed 
and comprised the flocks of the patriarchs thousands of years ago. Until 
within a few years it was supposed it had been matured and perfected in 
Spain, but more recent investigations show conclusively that fine-wooled 
sheep existed in Greece long before Spain was settled other than by bar¬ 
barians. That fine-wooled sheep now exist in Persia and the interior of 
Asia, which are almost identical with the Merino of the present day in 
the shape and form of the carcass, and in the beautiful texture and soft¬ 
ness of the fleece. The Merino is undoubtedly a distinct breed, possess¬ 
ing qualities peculiar to itself, which may be more or less transmitted to 
other breeds, but which, in its purity, will always characterize the breed 
in whatever country or climate found. One of its peculiarities is the re¬ 
tention of its fineness of wool in all climates. Within the last fifty years 
it has been carried into all the various climates of the earth, and in the 
North as far as Sweden, in Germany, Northern and Southern Russia® 
In all the climates of the Union, in the tropical regions of South America, 
and in Australia, and yet the wool from all comes back the same. So 
little attention has been paid to the subject, that it is only within a very 
