The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-28
VALUE OF MERINO BLOOD
SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
ON SHEEP GROWING
Breed to Adapt Themselves to
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Value in
and wool PrOductiOn-Sma all and
Hardy.

AS has been previously noted in this col
cmn. inquiries are frequently made as 10
the hest breed of sheep with which TO BE-
gin the cultivation of a flock by a small
farmer in Minnesota, for ms .ance. 1t is
not possible even if it were wise, to rec
ommend any particular species, for the rea-
son that there are so many all of which
have their merits and advocates. There are
certain breeds which are superior TO othsrs
for certain uses, hence it is necessary, be-
fore even suggesting advice, to know the par
ticular uses to which the animals are to be
applied and this initial advice must, of ne
cessity. partake of the nature Of partially
in favor of one over another, acco ding to
the varying degrees of favor ism experienced
by breeders. The following communities. ion,
printed in the latest issue of the OHIO
Farmer, tells simply the merits of a br> ed
which has been cultivated successfully in III
country, and may contain something in tae
way of practical suggestion 10 some farm
who are in doubt to how to begin the in
dustry. The letter is written by a corrs-
spondent of the journal referred to- and
treats of the value of Merino blood. 1t is
follows:
It is question whether the majority of
those who raise sheep, either with wool or
mutton the object, fully appreciate the
value of Merino blood, or the good Qua'it
OF that breed. For six sewn years III
breed has been held uD to rid cule by the
live stock journals of the country, and their
editors have rung the changes on the little
wrinkly, greasy Merino,'' which they decara
10 be unfit for anything. OF course the in
PRODUCTION of the English mutton breeds has
materially changed the sheep industry in tn
United States. The business of feeding has
greatly increased in Importance and maeni
tude, and this has be5n greatly AIDED by the
spread of the mutton breeds Throughout tn
country.
There is no gainsaying this, and it must
be recognized as a solid fact. But in cry
- Hs,,sr al
wool growing has assumed any importance,
We find upon investigation that the ba is o
the Il !eks is the American Merino. 1t has
been the great factor in assuring the success
of the sheep industry in many of the states
where it is doubtful If it would had only the
blood of the mutton breeds been relied upon
In building up the flocks. The great ability
OF the Merino to adapt itself to wide range
OF conditions, and its great qua tiles as
wool-bearer, exactly fitted it to cross with the
mutton breeds and strengthen them where
weak. The development of the English mui-
ton breeds has been in connection with the
highest forms of modern agriculture. They
are the product of careful breed ng, AMI
generous feeding. This did not fit them to
do well under those conditions which must
obtain In a comparatively new country where
animals Of all kinds had, to a Western
term, Ito rustic more less for living
The pure bred, long wool or down sheep
While they might survive many hardShips
would have lost many of thar most valuable
characteristics If forced to struggle for ex-
lstence The smaller and more hardy Merino,
II TO meet the very conditions which would
destroy the value of the mutton breeds wa;
therefore adapted to impart to it's progeny
Just the qualities which, added to those OF
the mutton breeds, would give a comb nation
animal superior to either one for the re 1uil e.
ments CT the sheep industry of the re yer
states and territories
1t was well, therefore. for the sheep mon
Of the country, especially those interested
in the breeding and introduction of the NUT
ton breeds, that the Merno was on hand
TO aid them in their work. We know this
stat ment will not be acc pied by all sheep
men, but we think full and card:d exam
fnati1n o. all the facts will convince them
OF its truth 1t is reinforced by the result
genti1a AMI Au tralia, and the highly sat
tsfac ory results which have followed the r
being crossed with the Merinos in those
countries.
The fact is, the most satisfactory feedi-g
sheep in the country today, and the one
which brings the highest lie VIXEN proper
ly + t Ell fer mari e, is the os5-bre / D wn
Metro. The fau t. of the one breed are
cor ected in the other If the flesh of the
Merino is TOO lean and lacking in juiciness,
that of tie Down is pt-to he too fat for
Am r can cjrsumpti.n. The blepdi of The
two comes nearer giving the ideal mu ton
carcass for the American consumer than any
other breed. The long wool breeders
ecu lily .n-ebted TO he Mer no for their gre II
success III he Tn te a es South Amer.cI
AID Australia, ard ca h treel lays aim TO
for bob carcass fn1 ee e. The adm rers of
the lincoln, the Cotswold and the leicester
all insist upon this which, while undoubt-
eddy a us biz CT ar cteri tic in tn ase b DIS,
also b ars testm, ny to the good qualities of
the American Merino.