96 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Merino and Saxony, may properly be yielded to the great States 

 of the interior, and of the West and South. These sheep are 

 adapted to run in very large flocks, and can undoubtedly be 

 more easily and cheaply kept on the broad acres of the Middle 

 and Southern, and the boundless prairies of the "Western States. 

 We may safely grant to these States an advantage over us iu 

 New England, and in Massachusetts particularly, in producing 

 the finer wools. But how is it with the long-wool sheep upon 

 which our combing wool, is to be grown ? A change has taken 

 place within a few years, which decidedly affects the business of 

 wool raising ; that is, the great rise in the price of long wool. 

 In the judgment of your Committee, there are many reasons in 

 favor of the long-woolled sheep being introduced into New Eng- 

 land, and even into Massachusetts. There are facts going far to 

 prove that they may be cultivated here to a decided profit. Any 

 one, it is believed, who will take the trouble to investigate the 

 subject, will find the following statements strictly within the 

 bounds of truth ; and they are facts which certainly have a very 

 important bearing on the question. 



First : The wool grown upon the thoroughbred Leicester, 

 (Bakewell or Dishley,) the Cotswold and the Lincolnshire, is 

 now, and has been for several years past, worth more in our 

 markets than the average of Merino. Second : These breeds of 

 sheep yield at least one-third more clean wool than the Merino. 

 Third : They yield one-third more lambs than the Merino. 

 Fourth : The mutton of these breeds of sheep has been for 

 years past, and is now, worth in our seaboard markets from 

 twenty-five to fifty per cent, per pound more than that of Merino, 

 that of the native being valued between the two. 



The same, or nearly the same, is true in regard to the various 

 breeds of Downs, such as the Southdowns, the Shropshire 

 Downs and Hampshire Downs. They are very prolific. The 

 mutton is equally if not more valuable. The lambs mature 

 earlier for market, and bring the very highest prices. The wool 

 is much sought after for delaines, and brings a high price. The 

 yield of wool is larger than from the Merino, though not as 

 large as from the Cotswold. Now, in view of these facts, may 

 it not be wise for the farmers of Middlesex County, as well as 

 those of the State, notwithstanding their past experience under 

 a state of things widely different from what now exists, to make 



