Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1875-11-25
ROss-BREEDING---WILL IT PAYq

sheep III IcSdIu w Me advantages 0I ll6
mutton breeds. In mos instances, these in
quiries seem to be hduces by a dissatisfac-
ton with the low prices that are offered for
Merino woods, though, in onoor two instan-
ces, we have complaints that since the in
auguration of the practice of panpering and
housing high bred sheep, the Melinoes are
believed to be less hardy than formerly.
In reply to the question whether it is wise
to try the experiment of cross-breeding, We
have to say that. in view oflow prices made
by fine woods, as compared with the coarsel
staples, especially the delaine. woods, we
are of the opinion that the ordinary farInel
who keeps a moderate number of sheep il
connection with other branches Of agricul
ture. may proftably breed his ewes; to rams
that give a better carcase with a larger fibre
of wool.
AS to the breed likely to prove most prof
liable of the mutton varieties, though the
Downs are the most hardy and the most
prolific, and produce altogether the bes'
quality of meat, we should doubt if this
cross would be as profitable as the Lincoln
or the Cotswold Or the Lancaster. Oul
own small flocks composed of pure brec
S%outhdowns, and to these. we have adhered
for many years, because OF the superior
quality of the mutton. But until the NUT;
ton is better appreciated in American mar.
kets, so as to command, asst should, a high
err price than the larger and coarser sorts
the Downs can hardly be expected to III
crease as rapidly as some other breeds.
Ifa long wool ram is selected to cross on
Merino ewes, care should be taken to select
snug compact forms, of only moderate size.
Large sheep are never-as good. on- profita-
BILE as those o fmedium size, and especially is
this true when we select rams of the large,
long wool breeds to cross on the Merinoes.
In selecting for this purpose we should
not care which of the three varieties we Sc
cured, if the animal suited in form and
fleece. We should have Il square, compact
carcass, on short legs, with short and stout
neck, a fleece of good %lustre, even inequality,
and covering all parts of the body.
G AfiS W. lU1tHS UO1bS A<ApSSASO IIOll bill1
cross would be: improved carcass, of better
mutton, maturing at q much earlier age,
and, as the markets now are, yielding a
more valuable fleece than the full blood Ma
rino. We should regard the experiment as
INVOLVING no risk whatever, as the produce,
in case it were desirable to return to the
pure blood, could at any time be disposed
of for mutton without any possible loss.
We are perfectly familiar with the cross
here recommended, and have always found it
satisfactory. The cross-bred progeny have
the form and general appearance of the long
woods, with a fleece Of much greater density,
the staple being very desirable for delaine
goods and commanding amuch higher price
than Merino. The sheep are always hardy
and remarkably good feeders. Another
of the long woods makes a splendid fleece,
namely, as long in fibre as the full blood,
and yielding much better weights, because
OF its greater density.
Rams suitable for crossing may be hadi at
from $25 to $5O.-Patron's Helper.
HORSE TRoTTING.-With suitable prepa
ration and management, not only does a
horse suffer no distress from trotting
moderate distance at the top of his speed,
out enjoys it as much as his driver. The
trotter is peculiarly gifted with pow
of locomotion, and his wonderful mech
anism can only be appreciated when in full
operation. TO most personsa closely con-
ested trot is a beautiful and attractive spec
.acle, and experience proves that nothing
a more delightful ana harml ess