392 



We are particularly deficient, at prefent, in the finer branches of 

 the woollen manufacture j and in the fabric of carpets. A great part 

 of our confumption, in thofe articles, is fupplied by importation. To 

 produce the fabrics, I have mentioned, of good quality, on reafonable 

 terms, there is a neccfEty for extenfive work-fliops and buildings, va- 

 rious, and expenfive machinery, and, of courfe, a large capital. It might, 

 therefore, be wife to continue fome kind of public aid, to thefe bran- 

 ches of the manufafture, during a limited period of time. It would, per- 

 haps, be worth the confideration of the legiflature, whether it might 

 not be both fafe and expedient, to withdraw fome part of the annual 

 fums, which are now appropriated to the maintenance of the linen ma- 

 nufafture, (a manufafture able to maintain itfelf,) and transfer them, 

 to the fupport of the woollen, which flands more in need of affif- 

 tance. 



There might be premiums appointed, with good eifeft, for improve- 

 ments, in the breed and management of flieep, with a reference to 

 the woollen manufacture ; fo as to encreafe the length, the finenefs, 

 or ftrength of the flaple, or filament. Experiments might be made, 

 to afcertain how far it was pradlicable, to encreafe all thefe properties 

 at once, in the fleece of the fame bead ; or how far thefe qualities of 

 wool interfered, with each each other. It is known, that the wool is 

 of unequal goodnefs, on different parts of the flieep ; the farmer might 

 be encouraged, to keep, thofe different parcels feparate, fo that the whole 

 pack fliould confift only of the chofen parts of the befl: fleeces. — A 

 mode of afforting wool, which, we are informed, is praifticed in Spain. 

 And, to encourage this attention to the fleece of fheep, and care in 

 afforting the wool, premiums might be eftablifhed for the firfl:, the fe- 

 cond, and third befl packs of wool, which fhould be expofed for fale, 

 at each of the wool fairs in this kingdom. 



It would very much encourage the breed of fheep, and the produc- 

 tion of wool, in parts of the country, where both have been hitherto 

 neglefted, were new fairs and markets for wool eflabliflied, in the neigh- 

 bourhood 



