5© improvement ofjheep and woof. "^July i8. 



ihould be ascertained by fair and indisputable expe- 

 riments J so that the public fhould neither rely up- 

 on my word, nor that of any other individual, in 3 

 matter of so much national importance. 

 II. Connectinn between the tendency to fatten, and na- 

 ture of the Jleece. 



It is profit alone that the farmer ought to regard 

 in choosing a breed of fheep, and not fanciful refine- 

 ments of any sort. The improvement of wool is a 

 principal object of the attention of this society ; but 

 if, by attempting to do this, the farmer must sacrifice 

 more valuable considerations, it would be folly in 

 him to attempt 't. In all their experiments, therefore, 

 respect ought to be had to the qualities of the carcase of 

 the flieep as well as its wool. If fheep that carry fin© 

 tvool are necefsarily and invariably more tender, op 

 . more difficult to fatten than those that carry coarse 

 wool, it were, perhaps, better never to think of the 

 former. But if the quality of the v/ool has no ne- 

 cefsary connection with the other peculiarities of 

 carcase, then it may happen that by attention andr 

 care, a breed may be found that fhall afford at the same 

 time fine wool, and be easily fatted. It is a matter, 

 therefore, of the utmost importance, to have this 

 point clearly elucidated by the fairest and most de- 

 cisive experiments. My own observations, on a pretty^ 

 extemive scale of experience, leave me no room to 

 doubt on this head ; but it is not for my own satis- 

 faction I now enquire, but for the satisfaction of the 

 public at large. And the public fhould not rely 

 on any afsertions of individuals in matters of so hi^h 

 importance. 



< 



