490 WISCOI^SIN STATE AORIGULTURAL SOCIETY. 
After Iona: and careful study, I arn forced to the conclusion that 
the prevalent idea of the superiority of the flesh of the so-called 
mutton breeds, considered aside from artificial influences, has in it 
more of sentiment than reality. ‘Naturally., the flesh of the Merino 
is as sweet and nutritious as that of any sheep. England has done 
much for the live stock interests of this country. The care and 
skill and industry of her breeders furnish examples worthy of emu¬ 
lation, as do her cattle and swine afford models for imitation. The 
humid climate of England, as well as the necessities of her agricul¬ 
ture, is peculiarly conducive to the growth and perfection of coarse 
and combing wools; hence the efforts of her breeders have been 
directed to the cultivation of those wools, and the development of 
the meat-producing characteristics of the animals bearing them. 
This fact, coupled with the proverbial, and largely excusable, home 
pride of the Englishman, is to be credited with much of the alleged 
superiority of flesh of the larger breeds. The careful feeding be¬ 
stowed upon these, with a view of imparting flavor and nutritious¬ 
ness to the flesh, if applied to the Merino, would, in a few genera¬ 
tions, produce meat fit for the palate of a king, or the sovereigns of 
our own land. 
A quite pertinent query in this connection is. Can the large 
breeds be safely depended upon to supply the increasing demand 
for mutton? They are commonly recognized as the most prolific; 
but when we look around us for results, the fact is palpable that, 
with the incentives of an enhanced price for combing wools, a 
steadily paying demand for breeding animals, and a fair price for 
meat, for twelve years, there is no such increase apparent in the 
numbers of long wool sheep as it seems should have resulted from 
the intelligent effort of those breeders making the culture of such 
stock a specialty. This fact, in connection with the further one, 
that a very large proportion of the young animals of both sexes 
have been used for breeding purposes, presents a problem that as 
yet has found no satisfactory solution, though well worthy the at¬ 
tention of practical breeders. 
The most serious objection to the American Merino, as a meat 
producing animal, is its size. The theory that the breeder’s aim 
should be to produce an animal that will yield the greatest weight 
of wool in proportion to weight of carcass is inconsistent with the 
interests and aspirations of the owners of the large pastures and 
