The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-10-17
McFiuc sheep.

The prime point to be considered in Sc
lecting any particular breed of sheep or
other kind of stock for breeding is the
adaptability Of the breed to the yarious
circumstances attending the raising, sale,
ETC., Of the stock in the particular Iocali-
Nv. While, therefore, abstractly consld-
cred, the Cotswold, Southdown, Leicester,
Dorset and some other breeds Of sheep
are finer animals than the Merino, there
are various reasons why the latter Is bet
ter adapted to raising in the South, than
any Of the first mentioned.
The Merino sheep, as all probably
know, Is Of Spanish origin, but at the
present time it has been 50 spread over
the world that it far exceeds IN number
anv other distinct breed. And indeed 1t
is only where the denseuess Of the p0pu-
lation has created a heavy demand for
mutton sheep that this breed has been
/ displaced by any other.
Unlike the Cotswold and Southdown,
/ the MernO IS a horned sheep, In some OF
/ the families Of them even the ewes having
/ horns. The other characteristics which
prevail are the fineness, curlIness and
/ Oi.iness OF the wool, which grows ali over
/ the sheep. covering even the legs down 10
/ the feet, belly and face pink nose,
short and round body. and disposition
Of the wool to fall in folds, which gives
the sheep a very uugainly appearance
The original pure Merino is not valu-
able mutton sheep, but the Rambonillet
Negretti and Electoral Merinos, which
are crosses bred by French and German
breeders. are heavier bodied, take on fat
more easily, and, as they retain most d
the wool characteristics Of the original,
/ they make very good sheep for general
purposes. The necessitv"tOr these crosses
has been brought about by the increasing
density Of the population creating de
mand for a breed which would furnish
reasonably good mutton and at the same
time not materially alter the texture OF
the wool. which had become iudlspensa
BE in the manufacture Of the finest wool
en- fabrics.
In the South. where the distance from
any other than the local markets, which
require a very light supply OF mutton
- precIudeE the necessity OF crossing TOR the
purposes Of improving the flesh qualities
: Of the breed, the pure Merino may bt
p bred to the best advantage, and viii
Great profit for the wool alone. The fleece
Of an average-sIzed Menno, under oFdlha
, ~ conditions OF health, flesh etc o3ush
10 weigh from eight to twelve pounds o.
} even more, as this always commands th'
highest price in the market, It may b
grown for wool alone very prohtaoiy' II
D a region where there IS so little neces
sity for care and extra feeding as III Tn
e South.
, Added TO this, the Merinos, being b,
d uafure adapted to a warm rather than
b cold climate. will be found on this &C
4 count better suited TO our climate thai
k some other breeds And further still
b not recurring the generous feeding an,
G e,raziuo[ which Is necessary to bring tn
+ 2,otsw9ld and Southdown to the highes
u noint Of excellence. they will flourish t.
IA = Greater decree on our fields. which ar
T. ecsatier of Grass than in more Northern
!, States or in ENGLAND. We believe tina
" for those farmers VINO 10 not expect t
Il mako sbeen.farmino a regular business
e l,+ r.i.b H.. raise as many a. may be don
G oa,,,.en;ent1, ,y;rbor- Interfering wit
r fbair croDs the Nerina. win answer b
e far tbe hest purpose i'm the South. wniI
3, If +. true they do not compare with som
e other breeds, particularly the Southdow