38 BOTANICAL EXCURSIONS 
Such is the character of the country for many miles before we 
reach Graham’s town. This tract is excellent for feeding 
sheep. We breakfasted at the house of Mr. Daniells, the 
greatest and most successful sheep-farmer in the colony; the 
land which he occupies was previously supposed to be worth- 
less, but has been rendered extremely valuable by his skill 
and perseverance. All his sheep are Merinos, which are 
found to be not only infinitely more profitable, but at the 
same time more hardy than the Cape breed. 
It is said that a few of the first Albany colonists, in 1820, 
brought fine woolled sheep with them, and that Lord Charles 
Somerset, when Governor, was very anxious to encourage the 
importation of a superior breed of these animals ; but the sub- 
ject was not taken up in earnest, till several years afterwards. 
Mr. Daniells was one of the first who devoted any attention 
to the growth of fine wool, an object now pursued by a 
great many of the colonists of Albany. The first considerable 
export of wool from Algoa Bay, took place in 1830,* since 
which time this branch of industry has made rapid progress, 
and it is to be hoped that the wool of the Cape may 
eventually vie with that of Australia. 
At Mr. Daniells’ I saw a tame Springbok, one of the most 
graceful and beautiful creatures it is possible to conceive. 
This species of antelope is still found on the Quagga Flats, 
though much less common than formerly. | 
We reached Graham's town in the middle of the day, and 
His Excellency was escorted into the town by a numerous 
cavaleade of the inhabitants. The distance of this place 
from Cape Town is about 600 miles, which we had accom- 
plished in seventeen days, not including those during which 
, We remained stationary, 
* cud lod Narrative of the Kafir War,” Introduction, Part 2. 
