The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-03-05
Coarse WOOIed Sheep.

The Cotswolds were first introduced
into the United States some forty or
forty-hve years ago, and something of a
contest for the first position for heavy
frAmes and long wool has ever been
held between this breed, the South
downs and the Leicestershires The
best grades have come from a cross be-
tween the L-icestershires and the Cots
wolGs; In fact the two have become so
generally intermixed that il is difficult
to find thoroughbred Cotswold. The
benefit derived in cross is in improv-
ing the size of the carcass and making
an earlier maturity of the lambs. The
two Improvements are particularly i'm
portant where the hOck-master designs
his sheep for the meat market. As to
which are the best for wool and mutton,
the crosses or Southdowns, opinions are
pretty equally divided. The South
down ram, coupled with the common
breed eve, where the dam is of good
size, make good lambs for early spring
market, and an excellent quality of NUT
ton; it being a we'll established fact
that the sire, as a general thing, has the
most influence on the length and quan-
tity of the wool, and the eve on the de-
velOpm Mt of the frame. It is impor-
tant, when any cross is made, to have
the dam of good health, strength and
size. Where a cross is made between a
ram of long and rapidly growing wool
and a eve of very short, unhealthy
growth the result is not favorable either
in the fleece or carcass. The uniform
ity of the size of frames and quality of
fleece Of cross breeds may be sustained
by strict conformity to certain rules
The idea that either ine or coarse wool
are the most profitable to raise as a
whole, is simply foolish, for the matter
Is entirely controlled by the supply and
demand. The war created a demand
for coarse woods, and excitement ran
high for a few years respecting this
grade. Manufacturers claimed thew
could not get enough combing wool, and
there was too much fine 1nerino fleece
on the market, and the reverse which
farmers made has reversed the market.
and to- day the demand is the stronger
for fine wool. Some of the wool-orow-
ers have experimental on the cost of
keeping fine and loug-wooled sheen. and
have not made the result strikingly in
favor of either. While the Cotswolds
will consume little more hay, they re-
quire less grain to keep them IN good |
condition during winter than Merinos. |
The former are not subject to foot rot. |
out suffer more from head diseases. A |
good flock of Merinos viii yield more /
pounds of wool, but the combiDg fleece |
will bring more per pound, but when /
the sheep are taken to the shambles the /
score makes a decided turn in favor of /
the heavy boiied sheep-Cotswold, Lei /
cestershire or Southdown. Heretofore
1t has been generally believed that Cots
void aud MerjnO sheep could not be
crossed with profit; for the reason there
Is such marked difference in general
characteristics, such a diversity In
length of wool and the size of frame,
and doubtless that opinion Is very
nearly correct however, crosses have
been made with good results. In one
instance where the crosses have been
made, Cotswoid ram has been coupled
With MeTino ewes, and such selection
made Of the latter as are specious,
strong, and producers of a lengthy and
apld growth of fleece. That profta-
DE returns could be made from an at
emnt % bring up a degenerated flock
u MeTinos by crossing with Cotswold, |
S extremely doubtful. Where q good
ross Is made a quality of wool, COM
'lning delaine, is produced which is
cry desirable and always marketable.
Ptiral South. rsseT.