The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1880-04-18
AmERICAN MKRlNO SHEEP.

Sheep raising has formed On i'm.
portant part Of the husbsndry of most
nations from the carly historical
times. Each country has had its Pc
culiar breeds marked by characters,
due in . great degree to the modifying
influence of climate, and in part to y
rude selection. In some cases these
breeds have reached . high degree OF
development. while in other countries
the focks have shown no improve
ment for centuries. This country, as
young rs it IL. has made its contribu-
ton to the list Of useful breeds in the
American Merino. Our climate and
pastures have better satisfied the
wants OF the fine wool breeding animal
than those Of its native country, and
now the American Mesino stands ut
the head OF the fine wool sheep of the
world. This breed would sceu, to
have reached that point In its develop
lnent where it appears of but little use
10 try to further improve it. The first
importations OF the Merino sheep iuto
this country were made early in the
present CENTURY, and consisted of very
choice animals from the best families
OF Spain. The most extensive impor
tations were those Of Hen. Vim. Jarvis,
tho American Consul 1t Lisbon, 10 1909
aud 1910, who sent over nearly 1000
head. From these Spanish sheep a. q
basis, and by means Of careful crossing.
breeding, aud selecting from several
distinct flocks. the present Meriue has
been produced. and is now 90 unlike
other Merinos - TO take rank 40 0
distinct breed with the prefix Ameri.
can.
The sheep industry ia the United
States is vast and important. and in
the consideration Of which there are
two partially and distinct. and at the
same time. interlocking interests.
Sheep were In early times grown al
most solely for the wool. and with the
annual sheariDg came the years in.
come; but in later times, aud never "a
prominently ~ now. the carcass il
looked upon as IN important item ia
sheep hushandry. Mutton asa cheap
and acceptable meat has Of late grown
greatly in popularity. aud mutton now
stands - one of the two important
factors IN the successful raising Of
sheep. In view Of the fact that the
Msrino 10 essentially . wool producing
breed. with fleece Of the finest and
best QaAlity. Il is evident that thu
pure blood Morino. though IL may sop
ply our manufactures with the ma
terial for tho dnost OF our woelen
goods, on the other hand il can no,
satisfy the butcher. The sheep having
10 both feed and clothc ito keeper, Il
IL an important question: What is the
best breed OF sheep to do this
Evidently not the pure blocaed Meri.
no. Though the growing Of the pure
hls0ded Asrinos las lie place, and "a
important one. aud the dsnaud for
their wsol indicates the prosperity 81
manufacture Of the finest goods. Il il
in the crossing Of them with other
breeds in which the dssh producing
qualities predominaie. that sh~ep
best tor b th meat and vssol 10 pro.
duced. A cross bred d the one tia,
In most localities II TO pay. The
Mertno y slow Of grewth and smAll OF
carsass when mature; but when cso-slsd
with rapid grower. one that masus~u
early II high feeder. AMI lays on ne~h
rapidly. but not remarkable IL Il.
wool either 10 quantity or quality, I
sheep 10 obtained that pays f,r i,scli i.
it, wool of prime quality. and f1raish
good qu~ntisy Of mutson - : prods,
" suoa charactes ars the cross OF ID.
Msrtno With The Cotavo,d aud ths
6suth-dovn. but with ths great mas,
e American shsep on the western
plains Wsol = ~ Important produck,