XXXIY. 



SHEEP AIJTD WOOL-GBOWING. 



OUES is eminently an agricultural country. We 

 produce most of our Food, and export much more 

 than we import of both Grain and Meat. Of Cotton, 

 we grow some Three Millions of bales annually, 

 whereof we export fully two-thirds. But of this we 

 reimport a portion in the shape of Fabrics and of 

 Thread; and yet, while we are largely clothed in 

 Woolens, and extensive sections of our country are 

 admirably adapted to the rearing of Sheep and the 

 production of Wool, we not only import a consider- 

 able share of the Woolens in which we are clad, but 

 we also import a considerable proportion of the Wool 

 wherefrom we manufacture the Woolens fabricated 

 on our own soil. In other words: while we are a 

 nation of farmers and herdsmen, we fail to grow so 

 much Wool as is needed to shield us against the 

 caprices and inclemencies of our diverse but generally 

 fitful climates. 



There is a seeming excuse for this in the fact that 

 extensive regions in South America and Australia 

 are devoted to Sheep-growing where animals are 

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