Annual Report of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture

of many clips of this wool, to show still further its great value. Take one of 1860, the number of hogget fleeces, 327; tods,* 129. In 1862, I have several reports before me: No. 1, 179 hogget fleeces, 72 tods; No. 2, 422 mixed fleeces, 191 tods; No. 3, 492 fleeces mixed, 179 tods; No. 4, 760 fleeces mixed, 279 tods; No. 5, 246 fleeces mixed, 951 tods; No. 6, 190 hogget fleeces, 72 tods. These are what are termed "good clips," but by no means the best to be met with. The fleeces of these sheep would average, at present prices, about 20 shillings each. Now, I am persuaded that no breed of sheep can compete with them for weight and value of fleece. I shall, therefore, without saying one word in disparagement of the other breeds mentioned, proceed to show how the breed of this class of sheep, and consequently the growth of their kind of wool-lustre wool— may be greatly extended.

The Lincolnshire long wools, although partaking essentially of one general character, differ very considerably in minor points. They are chiefly bred and are to be found in the county of Lincoln and adjoining districts of other counties. In the northern part of the county more attention is paid to their uniformity and fattening propensities than to their wool. In the midland districts both wool and mutton are sought to be produced, obtaining about equal attention; and in the southern districts the three great requisites of large proportion with plenty of wool and mutton, are most prized and universally sought after. Besides these general differences, each breeder, or at least each breeder of rams on a somewhat large scale, has some peculiar taste or character displayed in his flock; and common or ordinary breeders congregate at these lettings, according to their respective tastes, or the peculiar demands of their respective holdings, 10r particular kinds of these said long-wools. The breeders upon the cold Lincolnshire wolds, and similar districts, look for a well-formed animal of moderate size, with plenty of mutton, and abundance of wool of fine quality and rather closely set. The occupiers of the midland districts seek after the like formation, but will venture upon a more open and somewhat heavier fleece; but the breeders of the southern districts of the county, and, indeed, all the rich districts of the fens and marshes of that and the neighboring counties, will seek after the largest rams which possess the heaviest fleeces and the longest and broadest staples of wool; in fact, they can scarcely be too large or too heavy in frame, neither in their mutton nor wool, to please a true South Lincolnshire breeder, and the breeders of similar districts, i. e., those lying in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Huntingdonshire, and Northamptonshire, where this breed of sheep most abounds.

Now, if all this attention is necessary to secure suitable sheep, to suit

A tod is 28 pounds.-KLIPPART.

each respective locality or district, or each respective holding in their native county, how much more imperatively necessary is it to adopt a similar and decided course in introducing them elsewhere? I have every confidence in this invaluable breed; and have no hesitation in saying that if proper precautions and requisite care are exercised in the selection of the peculiar variety of this, "The Lincoln long-wooled breed" of sheep, they may be profitably introduced into any district of three kingdoms where good natural pasturage abounds or can be found, and good turnips can be grown; and I am further of opinion that they may be introduced also where good clovers or seeds can be produced. It is perfectly futile and useless to attempt their introduction into any mountainous district, or even on high chalky downs. Their very size and weight deter them from traveling far in search of food; but they may be located on hilly districts of moderate elevation. The Cotswold Bills and the Lincolnshire wolds are each probably more than 400 feet above sea-level, and both districts maintain breeds of sheep of great value and wonderful proportions. The richer valleys of those districts not immediately under the influence of mountainous exhalations or frequent changes of weather, would be found well adapted to their prosperity; but rainy or moist districts would be detrimental. This, in fact, is one of the main points of the whole subject, i. e., the influence of climate on the fleece. I am well aware that Lincolnshire is one of the driest counties in the kingdom, and so far it is conducive to the favorable production of "lustre wool;" but this more particularly applies to that precise kind of it possessing the long open staple, not so much the finer and closer-set skins. It is patent to every breeder of these sheep that the open, thin-set "watery "-skinned sheep do not thrive well in a cold, wet, stormy and changeable season, even in their own localities. The closer-set skins beat them hollow; and for this reason: because neither cold, wet, nor wind can so easily penetrate to the skin itself, by reason of its denser coat or covering.

The casual observer has only to notice how readily the wool of the thin set skin is parted by a slight breeze, to be convinced that such is not the best covering to ward off the snows, the cold rains and storms of our fickle clime. This is no fiction. It is the plain fact; and, being so, I see no reason why, under proper selections, the Lincolnshire longwools should not be adapted, yes, and adapted to meet the requirements of every clime and every reasonably selected locality. The kind of sheep and the suitability of the district must be coincident with each other, and in accordance with the facts of the subject named, i. e., the smaller variety and closer skins for fickle climes and inferior lands; the larger and heavier skins for medium soils and situations; and the largest and heaviest sorts both in

wool and mutton, for the best land and driest climates. I am well aware that the introduction of Lincolnshire longwools has been attempted in very many districts of this kingdom, and also in various districts in Ireland, but without uniform success, and in some cases it has been a total failure. It is said that both the west of England as well as Ireland are unsuitable, chiefly because of excess of moisture. The sheep cannot abide such continuous rains. It is also said that the south of England, and other warm districts, are unsuitable, owing to too much heat; that the wool speedily degenerates and becomes short and "mossy." In other districts, where the climate is not unsuitable, it is said the land is not good enough for them. It is also said they are bad breeders and bad sucklers; that the hoggets are tender and difficult to winter; that this class of sheep consume so much food; that they thrive slowly; that their mutton is of inferior quality. These and other like objections are raised. I will endeavor, briefly, to set aside many of these objections. First, climate. It is unquestionable that continuous rains do not agree with the satisfactory and safe progress of longwooled sheep-at least such as have an open staple. It requires the close set skin of a Southdown to withstand such wet. There is, however, a class of sheep, which is growing into favor with many Lincolnshire breeders, that approximate considerably towards the closer set skins of the Cotswold and Kents, not to say Downs: these I believe would thrive well in any wet, variable, or cold climate; and yet their fleeces, under good management, would yield good lustre wool. In the warm districts, I believe the open skins and lighter wools of the north of the county would be suitable, aud might be introduced with profit. The fleece would be heavier than from the Leicester, and would yield lustre wool of an excellent quality, without a tendency to turn "mossy." As to the quality of the land and inferiority of herbage being objectionable, I would in refutation instance the Lincolnshire wold and heath districts. Within my memory I may venture to say that for tens of thousands of acres together the annual produce did not exceed three or four couples of rabbits per acre; now they are producing magnificent sheep in almost as many couples, and sheep's wool instead of rabbits' skins. Take the Cotswold district. It is not much richer, and yet it has long produced still larger sheep of beautiful form and character. It is only a question of management. As to their breeding qualities, I would say that they are not so prolific as some of the short-wooled sheep, nor are the ewes such good sucklers; but the yield of lambs raised in average seasons is about one-third "pairs," the rest "singles." They are not more trouble or expense in wintering than other kinds, nor are the casualties greater. As consumers, it has been repeatedly proved that, taking into consideration

the value of mutton and wool produced within a given period, few kinds of sheep can compare with them, and the quality of mutton is exceedingly good. It is certainly large in its proportions as butchers' meat, but no mutton can compare with it in the fineness of its lean meat, although not close-grained, and the quantity of lucious gravy it produces. I might further instance some extraordinary weights to which individual sheep of this breed have attained, which I take almost at random. No. 1, Mr. Clarke's of Canwick, two wether sheep, weight, 261 and 250 pounds respectively. Mr. Dawson's, of Witheal, No. 1, a three-shearer, 386 pounds; No. 2, two-shearer, weight 364 pounds; No. 3, shearling, 284 pounds. · Mr. John Clarke's ewe, exhibited at Smithfield Club and the Newcastle meeting, 262 pounds. Mr. Coke, near Lynn, has at various periods exhibited many scores of this breed, which have averaged from 50 to 75 pounds per quarter. Mr. Plowright, near Spalding, has throughout many years shown, in his regular business sales, many hundreds of two-shear wether sheep to weigh from 30 to 45 pounds per quarter, and at this market, like specimens may be seen on almost every market day. And no doubt specimens of this breed will be exhibited at the new Agricultural Hall, to which I with pleasure refer. I would only now further observe that this breed is exciting great attention on the continent, and many breeders are introducing them on a small scale. Of course these considerations should induce every breeder of these longwools to renew his exertions to keep up their high character.

On page 519 of the Ohio State Agricultural Report for 1862 will be found a list of the principal flocks of Merinos and their grades. The law limiting the size of the report did not permit the insertion of the following tables; they are therefore presented here.

FRENCH MERINOS AND THEIR GRADES.

For the history of the French Merinos see page 479 Ohio Agricultural Report for 1862.