xlvili INTRODUCTION. 
WOOL. 
The. progrefs of particular branches of our woollen 
manufactures, and the particular ftate of European politicks, 
have lately contributed to raife the price of Spanifh wool 
to an uncommon height, proportioned to the difficulty of 
importation. This gradual effect has at length alarmed the 
fine broad-cloth manufaéturers, and apparently fo the 
Board of Agriculture. Much is due to the timely exertions 
of all publick bodies, actuated by patriotifm, and moving ° 
with difcretion; efpecially in critical times; and if their 
exertions fhould even fail of the fuccefs they aim at, the 
motive is good, and will dire&tly or indirectly produce fome 
good effefts. The publick mind muft on many occafions- 
be ftimulated, . before it will feek expedients, or underftand 
the power of devifing them; and no effort, on the great 
whole, can be ufelefs in the field of knowledge. 
Any effort to fupply, from native produce, the place of 
aforeign import, in fo great an article of confumption as 
wool, may prove ineffeétual; and, on our prefent feale of 
manufacture and trade, molt likely will do fo. It may be 
found impoffible to fupply all our looms and merchants 
from our own flocks, however improved—however at- 
tempted to be multiplied; but though smu/tiplication cannot 
be pufhed beyond natural bounds—improvement of our 
flocks, by that fele€tion and admixture which have been 
already dwelt on, may go far. Juft as far as it can be car- 
ried wifely, it is our duty to carry it. And though the 
fyftem of driving our flocks over the hills of extenfive dif- 
tricts, to counteract varieties of atmofphere, cannot be 
realized here as in Spain; we may by felection, by crofling, 
by cotting in winter, &c. gradually add a much larger num- 
ber of fine fleeces than the difference between ‘ 300,000 
and 
