SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 43 



the so-called black mohair and brilliantine fabrics, can be 

 imparted only by Leicester or Lincoln blood. Besides, the 

 Leicester is the most valuable of all mutton sheep for crossing, 

 and imparts its precocity, that is, its capacity of fattening 

 in one year, and of reaching full growth in two years, and, 

 therefore, its mutton-producing capacity, to all other races. 

 Where there are rich, sweet pastures, with quantity in a 

 small space, and a moderate climate, the Leicester will thrive. 

 Such localities must exist at least in Kentucky or Tennessee, 

 and there the Leicester should be introduced. 



Kentucky Sheep. Whatever may be the possibilities of the 

 Blue Ridge region for growing the long-woolled races, the 

 ultra-montane regions of Tennessee, and especially Kentucky, 

 are the only fields at the South where actual success has been 

 achieved on any considerable scale. This may be due to geo- 

 logical formations existing in those States. It has been ob- 

 served, that the geological map of England exhibits an exact 

 chart of the distribution of British sheep ; and Professor 

 Shaler, the able Professor of Geology at Harvard College, 

 has observed to the writer, that the capacity of Kentucky 

 for mutton-sheep husbandry is strictly limited by the geologi- 

 cal features of that State. Kentucky mutton, produced by 

 her long-woolled sheep, invariably appears in the choice 

 menus of city hotels at the North. Its consumption is enor- 

 mous. There are stalls at the Faneuil Hall Market, in Bos- 

 ton, where nothing is sold but Kentucky mutton. 



We have obtained the following statement from an intelli- 

 gent gentleman in Boston * : 



BOSTON, April 19, 1878. 



I have not forgotten your request in regard to Kentucky sheep. 

 Through an introduction from Mr. Terry, the inspector of provisions, 

 I have been placed in communication with the two largest dealers in 

 mutton in this city. 



Yesterday afternoon, I went to the abbattoir in Brighton, and saw 

 both of these gentlemen, from whom I obtained the following facts : 



During the year ending May 1, 1877, 272,000 sheep and lambs 

 were slaughtered at the Brighton abbattoir. This supplies the Bos- 



* William A. Hayes, Jr., Counsellor-at-law, No. 41 Sears Building, Boston. 



