On Tunis Mountain Sheep—w oot. 241 
a 
change this habit: especially those whose pastures are 
luxuriant, and fatten the sheep quickly. Flocks, on 
pastures overstocked, are thinned, by sales of those fat, 
and of store sheep, for others to feed. Habits, good or 
bad, are not easily discontinued. If flocks for fine wool, 
can be made a special business, none can wish more 
sincerely than I do, for its accomplishment. To pre- 
serve them, other good breeds should be encouraged.* 
When this plan is extensively executed, millions of 
acres, at this time called Jarrens, will be converted into 
sheep walks. They now throw up, in cleared spots, 
white clover in abundance. The difficulty will be 
winter food, for large flocks; or, what is more unattain- 
able, early spring succulent fodder, when they most re- 
* In Great Britain, there are fourteen distinct varieties of 
sheep, some of them as indifferent as any we have. It would 
be an useful inquiry, if measures for ascertaining and distin- 
guishing the varieties of sheep in our country, were taken. 
In all breeds, the wool should bean object of great attention, 
but it has been too much neglected. Breeds might easily be 
kept distinct, and not (as they too often are) indiscrimi- 
nately mixed. The long wool and the short, the fleeces being 
applicable to different fabrics and uses, might, with no difi- 
culty and a little care, be always kept from mixture; and 
each brought to its appropriate perfection. If it be thought, 
as no doubt it will, that I have been prolix and too minute, 
let others condense their accounts of breeds and qualities of 
sheep. So that,when every information is gained, a fair compe- 
tition and emulation may be excited. This will effectually im- 
prove all breeds, and greatly conduce to the public prosperity. 
In England, and all countries, particular breeds have the run of 
the day, get out oi fashion, and yield to fortunate competitors. 
VOL. II. Hh} 
