238 On Tunis Sheep. 
SS ee ee ee eee eee 
» T have taken the liberty, with a worthy«and. intelligent 
correspondent Joun Gisses Esq. of Charleston, who’ is 
among the most respectable planters in South Carolina, 
to extract from his letter. to me, dated 18th June iast,— 
the iollowing paragraphs. I had sent irom my little farm 
flock, and purchased from others, for my Carolina iriends, 
within the two or three years last past, a number of fine 
Tunis sheep, of various grades of bicod, from fitteen 
sixtcenths, to half blood. They had notice of my opinions and 
experience, as to colour of fleece; either from myself di- 
rectly, or through Yohn Vaughan Esq. who transacted the 
business for them. But to indulge habits, in be of predi- 
lection for white wool, I was obliged to select some sheep, 
not periectly agreeable to my own judgment. 
R. Pr 
Fuly 7th, 1810. ; 
“ Tamso much pleased with these sheep, that I have again 
“written to Mr. Vaughan to send me four ewes and three 
“ram lambs, if they can be ‘obtained of the three quarter- 
“blood ; and choice short legged sheep ; and have requested 
“ him to.procure one of the ram lambs, or a ram, of the best 
“blood possible. These sheep are much spoken of in Carolina, 
though many not ’till seven: few remain full mouthed at eight years old. 
I never saw ane of the common sheep entirely free from some blemish ; 
but have known the greatest number, at that age, destitute of several 
teeth ; and with mouths in very bad condition ; though they will feed 
iolerably. It is rare for them to breed after seven or eight: though there 
are instances of it, at nine or ten. It is very uncommon for sheep to have 
strong and healthy lambs after eight years of age ; this being what may 
he called the age of a sheep; as it respects health, vigour and usefulness. 
‘The Tunis sheép is the enly exception known tome. Mr. Bones’s certifi- 
¢xte will apply to all the breed. As todiseases of sheep, the * opal 
would be very simall, ifall flocks consisted of this race. 
R, 2. 
