A STATE FARM IN FRANCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1855, 19 February 1889, Page 4

A STATE FARM IN FRANCE.

M. Gustave Henze contributes to the “ Journal d’ Agriculture Pratique ” an interesting account of the national sheep breeding farm at Rambouillet, which has now been in existence for more than a century, King Louis XVI. having purchased the palace and forest of Rambouillet in 1787 and having created an experimental farm on the estate at a cost of about £16,000 in 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 permission to spend there than double the sum in the purchase of Frebourg cattle, Angora goatsj implements, and the cultivation of different varieties of wheat, clover, etc. But the great service which Tessier did was the introduction from Spain of the merino sheep which have since made Rambouillet so well known. The total value of the sheep sold out of the Rambouillet flock from 1797 to 1872 was £139,000, represented by 4309 rams, 4301 ewes, 3025 wethers, and 131 tons of wool. Although the value of the stock increased considerably during this period the wool dropped from Is 9d per pound to just half that price. There is a great diversity of opinion as to the origin of the merino sheep, some people saying that the breed,was introduced into Spain by the Moors, and that it originally came from Asia; but there does not seem to be any special reason for believing that such is the case, and it is, of course, equally impossible to identify it, as some have endeavoured to do, with any of the Roman breeds spoken of by Pliny. There can be no doubt, however, in M. Henze’s opinion, that the 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 Rambouillet, and the rams are much sought after by breeders in Australia, New Zealand, and South America, as it is found that the climates of these countries suit them very well. A very favorite cross in France is that of the merino with the Leicester, and the animals bred in this way which are known as Anglo-Merinos, are generally notable for their early maturity, good conformation, and fine clip of wool.