A STATE FARM IN PRANCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2034, 11 January 1889, Page 3

A STATE FARM IN PRANCE

M. Gustavo Henze contributes to the "Journal d' Agriculture Pratiqae" an interesting account of the national sheep breeding farm at Bambouillet, which has now been m existence for more than a century, King Louis XVI. having pur* ohased the palace and forest of RambdnSlet m 1787 and having created an experimental farm on the estate at a cost of about £1600 m the money of that day, now representing of course, a much larger sum.- The manager of the farm one Tessier, then obtained the King's per mission to epend more tban double the cumin the purchase of Fribourg oattle, Angora goats, implements, and the cultivation of different varieties of wheat, clover, etc. But the great service whioh Teaeier did waa the introduction from Spain of the merino sheep which have since made Bambouillet so well known. The total value of the sheep sold out of the Bambouillet flock from 1797 to 1872 was £139,000, represented by 4309 rams. 4301 ewes, 3025 wetbeis, and 131 tonß of wool. Although the value of the stook increased considerably during this period, the wool dropped from Is 91 per pound to just half that price. There Is a great diversity of opinion as to tbe origin, of tbe merino sheep, some people saying that the breed was Introduced Into Spain by tbe Moors, and that It originally came from Asia ; bnt there does not seem to be any speolal reason for believing suoh to be the oase, and it If, of oourse, equally Impossible to Identify It, as aome hava endeavored to do, with any of the Roman breeds spoken of by Pliny. There oan be no doubt, however, In M. Hebza'e opinion, that tbe merino sheep brought from Spain have been much Improved, both as regards the development of the frame and the growth of wool, since their Importation to Bambouillet, and the rams are muoh ■ought after by breeders In Australia, New Zealand, and South America, as It Is fonnd that the ollmates of tbese countries suit them very well. A very favorite oross In France Is that of the merino with the Leicester, and tbe animals bred io tbis way wbioh are known aa " Anglo-Merinos," are generally notable for their early maturity, good conformation, and fine olip of wool.