10 improvement ofjheep and Wdo/. T*"^ "• 



to begin with inaktag such experiments as fliould e£- 

 fectuallj ascertain doubtful facts ;• after which we 

 might then proceed to reason upon them with pro- 

 priety. 



Every gentleman in this society has had opportu- 

 nities of observing the confusion that arises from 

 different persons having adopted opinions contradic- 

 tory to each other. Without, therefore, spending 

 more time on this head, I ftiall proceed to mention % 

 few of those things respecting the nature and econor 

 rar^ of the flieep, that are still disputable ; and to point 

 out a plan by which it is probable some of them might 

 be ascertained. 



I conceive that no person can, at the present mo* 

 ment, give clear and satisfactory answers to the foU 

 lowing queries, from facts that have, to his know- 

 ledge, beeen ascertained by clear and undeniable ex-. 

 periments, vi%. 



1st. What is the influence of climaU on the fine-* 

 nefs, and other qualities of wool ? 



ad. What is the effect oifood in altering the fine.» 

 nefs and other qualities of wool ? 



3d. What effect has exercise in th ese respects ? 



4th. What is the effect of sex, castration, ijc. on 

 the quality of wool and its quantity ? 



5th. How does age affect the fiuenefs, closenefs, or 

 ether qualities of the wool ? 



6th. Is the size of the animal necefsarily connec- 

 ted with the finenefs, length, softnefs, or other q"-a- 

 litics of wool ? 



7th. Is the finenefs, elasticity, or other qualities of 

 the v>rool, necefsarily connected with the hardinefs or 

 delicacy of the constitution of the animal ? 



