Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1874-02-28
Coarse. Wooded sheep.

Tie CJtswolis were first introduced
into the United States some forty or
iurtv-aye years ago, and something Of a
contest for the first position for heavy
+ mes and long wool has ever been
held between this breed, the South
downs and the Leicestershires. The
hes. grades have come from a cross be
tween the L icest4rshires and the Cots
velts n fact the two have baccme SO
generally intermi1ed that it Is difficult
10 ind ! thoroughbred Cotswold. The
benefit derived in a ross is in improv-
ing the size Of the carcass and making
an earlier maturity of the lambs. The
two improvements are particularly N
por:sni where the Aock.master designs
his sheep for tie 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 ii being a we'll established fact
that the sire, as q general thing, has the
most influence on the length and quan-
titv of the wool, and the eve on the de-
velopment of the frame. II 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 a 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 they
could not get enough combing wool, and
there was too much fine merino 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-grow-
ers have experimental on the cost of
keeping fine and long-wooled sheep, and
have not made the result strikingly in
favor of either. While the Cotswolds
will consume a little more hay, they re-
quiro less grain to keep them in good
condition',during winter than Merinos.
The former r not subject to foot rot,
but suffer more from head diseases. A
good flock Of Mcrinos will yield more
pounds Of wool, but the cOmbing 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 bodied shcep-Cotswold, Lei.
~cestershire or Southdown. Heretofore
it has been generally believed that Cots
void aud Merino sheep could not be
crossed with profit for the reason there
is such a marked difference in general
characteristics, such a diversity il
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 onC
instance where the crosses have beef
made, a Cotswold ram has been coupled
with Merino ewes, and such a selection
made of the latter as are specious
strong, and producers of a lengthy ant
rapid growth Of fleece. That profta
bic returns could be made from an al
temnt to bring up a degenerated foe
of Merinos by crossing with Cotswold
is extremely doubtful. Where a goo
cross is made a quality of wool, CON
bining delaine, is produced which i
very desirable and always marketable
Rural SOuth9uCr.