SIIEEP-FARMIXG. 57 



its being duly appreciated and rewarded with some 

 honourable distinction, such as a national gold medal, &c. 



VII. 



Before concluding this brief review, I will quote from 

 the highest Spanish authority, that of his Excellency the 

 Marquis of Perales, President of the ' Asociacion General 

 de Ganaderos.' He says (speaking of the Australian 

 sheep-farmers and their flocks) : ' The extraordinary de- 

 velopment which the sheep attain ; the zeal with which 

 the sheep-farmers attend to their improvement, importing, 

 regardless of price, the best breeding stock from England 

 (George III. Merinos) and France (Ranibouillet), adopting 

 the best methods of breeding and caring, and the best 

 system of feeding, puts it beyond doubt that the Austra- 

 lian wools must hold the foremost rank for general pur- 

 poses and manufacture.' Then, after referring to the 

 extraordinary length and softness attained by many 

 Australian breeders, he says : ' It is undoubted that their 

 wools must successfully compete with, and lower the 

 prices of European fine wools, and that, therefore, it 

 would be very desirable (muy conveniente) that the 

 Spanish flock-masters should, in imitation of the English 

 breeders, modify their breed with a view to increase the 

 weight of the fleece, lengthen the staple, and increase the 

 size, so as to be more productive of meat and fat.' 



I apprehend, that with such an authority confirming 

 the opinions I have emitted in this paper, there will be 

 little doubt left on the minds of its readers, that herein 

 are laid down the principles which should guide the great 

 sheep-farming interest of the Eio de la Plata. 



