285 



as stated by Mr.' Joubert, secretary of tlie Agricultural Society of New 

 South Wales, "to enable not only the buyers of wool, but also the 

 breeders of sheep, to see what we produce ; and with a view to bring 

 about an exchange which must necessarily prove of mutual benefit." 

 These fleeces were designed for the New York Chamber of Commerce, 

 but as that body has no suitable room for their exhibition, they have 

 been sent to this Department, where they may be examined at any time 

 in connection with the descriptive catalogues which accompany them. 

 The subject of a system of exchanges of wools and of breeds is thus 

 proposed by Mr. Joubert : 



The council desires me to say that they are most anxious to enter into regular com- 

 mnnication with yonr Department, with a view of establishing an exchange of blood 

 in sheep, cattle, &c., &c. I need not say that we shall place anything coming from 

 you before our members, and obtain the greatest possible notoriety for your products 

 * * * "We hold a metropolitan exhibition once a year, and it has been our wish to 

 obtain exhibits from the States ; hitherto we have had but few, and principally im- 

 plements. 



As the Department has no means wherewith to establish a system of 

 exchanges of animals, it can only refer the proposition to individuals 

 and associations for their action. In this connection the following let- 

 ter from Mr. Eaudall, president of the National Wool-Growers' Associ- 

 ation, is worthy of consideration : 



Cortland Village, New York, 



March 25, 1872. 



Dear Sir : While I think it would be discourteous to decline a system of exchanges 

 of domestic animals with the Agricultural Society of New South Wales, I confess I 

 cannot, at preseut, see how it can be rendered successful. I am inclined to think our 

 importers of choice horses and cattle and coarse-wool sheep would prefer to look for 

 them in England, and it would not pay to import any. but very choice animals from 

 Australia. Owners of these would not be likely to wish to export them on uncertain- 

 ties, and without knowing distinctly what they were to receive in return. 



In regard to fine- wool sheep, apparently the most favorable subjecjjis of exchange, 

 the standards of breeding in the two countries are essentially different. A friend of 

 mine brought out from Australia some merinos, six or eight, and placed them with 

 me. They were from the most celebrated, iiocks, and were mostly first-prize sheep at 

 the Australian International Colonial Show. They, were of good size and form, and 

 were very hardy and vigorous. Their wool was much finer than ours, and more than 

 proportionably lighter. Compared with ours, they were a thin-wooled sheep. Their 

 fleeces would not sell for enough more per pound than American merino fleeces to be' 

 as profitable as the latter. 



Hundreds of American breeders of full-bloods saw them on my farm, and not one of ^ 

 them would have taken the sheep as a gift. I ceased to breed them separately, and 

 not being willing to use the rams, they became extinct, witli the exception of one 

 prize ewe of the original importation, which I now have. 



Our breeders, who grow finer sheep than the American merino, generally prefer 

 certain German stocks, which give heavier fleeces than the Australian ; and though 

 their wool is not so fine as the latter, it is as fine as any demanded, to any extent, in 

 our markets. The truth is, very fine merino wool never fetches enough more than that 

 of. medium fineness to make up for the difference in weight of fleece. 



Mr. Joubert wrote you that the American merinos heretofore exported to Australia 

 were not liked there. Their sheep proved equally unsatisfactory here. I cfinnot, 

 therefore, see much, if any, prospect of a satisfactory or useful exchange. 

 I am, sir, very resx^ectfull}', 



HENRY S. EANDALL. 



Hon. Frederick Watts, 



Commissioner of Jfjricultnre. ■ - 



Among the recent foreign publications received at the Department is 

 the '' Bulletin of the Eoyal Society for the Protection of Animals in 

 Belgium," which contains views worthy of attention and adoption. The 

 protection of animals against the cruelties of human avarice has an eco- 

 nomical as well as a moral importance, and may well claim the aid of 



