Sheep husbandry; with an account of different breeds, and general directions in regard to summer and winter management, breeding and the treatment of diseases . carefully managed or smallflocks. We have already adverted to the cross between the Merino and theative sheep. On the introduction of the Saxon family of the Merinos, theywere universally engrafted on the parent stock, and the was contin-ued until the Spanish blood was nearly bred out. When the admixturetook place with judiciously selected Saxons, it resulted not unfavor-ably for certain purposes. But unfortunately these instanc
Sheep husbandry; with an account of different breeds, and general directions in regard to summer and winter management, breeding and the treatment of diseases . carefully managed or smallflocks. We have already adverted to the cross between the Merino and theative sheep. On the introduction of the Saxon family of the Merinos, theywere universally engrafted on the parent stock, and the was contin-ued until the Spanish blood was nearly bred out. When the admixturetook place with judiciously selected Saxons, it resulted not unfavor-ably for certain purposes. But unfortunately these instances of judiciouscrossing were rare. Our country was flooded by eager speculators, withthe feeblest and least hardy Merinos of Germai;y. Fineness of wool during Youatt, p. 149. 138 SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. the period of this strange excitement, was made the only test of excellence,no matter how scanty its quantity, no matter how diminutive or miserablethe carcass. Governed by such views, the holders of most of our Merinoflocks purchased these over-delicate Saxons, and the consequence was asBiijUht have been foreseen—their flocks were ruined. :.\^Xi. !AXON RAM Saxons.— Tn the year 1765, Augustus Frederick, Elector of Saxony, ob-tained permission from the Spanish Court to import two hundred Merinos,selected from the thoicest flocks of Spain. They were chosen principallyfrom the Escurial flock, and on their arrival in Saxony, were placed on aprivate estate belonging to the Elector, under the care of Spanish much importance was attached to the experiment, as it was ihen con-sidered, that a commission was appointed to superintend the aflairs of theestablishment; and it was made its duty to diffuse information in relationto the management of the new breed ; to dis])Ose of the surplus rams atprices which would place them within the reach of all holders of sheep ;and finally, by explaining the superior value of the Merinos, to inducethe Saxon farmers to cross them w
Size: 1771px × 1410px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorrand, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectsheep
