322 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



indifferent wool. We have seen numerous flocks within the 

 last 20 years, of the pure bred native, whose bellies were 

 entirely destitute of wool, and sometimes the whole carcass 

 was bare, excepting a mere strip or ridge like a mane, reach- 

 ing from the head to the tail. The wool which was retained 

 on the neck, back and sides, was frequently matted almost as 

 iirmly as a leather apron ; and that on the thighs, and some- 

 times on the sides, was often composed almost wholly of long 

 hair. Although indifferently formed in comparison with the 

 best breeds of 'the present day, being thin in the breast and 

 back, light quartered, and slow in coming to maturity, they 

 yet possessed some good qualities. They were prolific, 

 excellent nurses, tallowed well, and yielded good mutton. 

 There were occasionally some smutty-nosed or brockle-faced 

 sheep among them, distinguished by thier additional size, 

 superior merits and courage. These were usually the leaders 

 of the flock in their marauding expeditions on their neigh- 

 bor's domains ; and in common with the others, they were 

 eminently adapted to purvey for themselves on the frontier 

 settlements. There were^besides, some black or dark choco- 

 late-brown members in every flock, which were much valued 

 by the thrifty housewife for their wool, which afforded an 

 economical mixture for jackets, hose and trowsers, known as 

 sheep's gray. Our original stock were principally derived 

 from England, where their counterparts may be seen at the 

 present day, in the refuse breeds of that country. When 

 these sheep wore well selected and properly bred, there was 

 rapid and satisfactory improvememt, and from such flocks, 

 mixed with some of the more recently improved varieties, 

 have sprung many valuable animals. There was but one 

 ^xception to this general character of the native flocks, so far 

 as <n:r observation extended, which was a considerably 

 numerous, and probably accidental variety, known as the 

 Oltrr hrced or Creepers* These wore an excessively duck- 

 l<'JAtf<'d animal, with well Ibrmed bodies, full chest, broad 

 kirks, yielding a close, heavy lleece of medium quality of 

 wool. They were deserved fa vdrites, where indifferent stone 

 or wood fences existed, :is their power of locomotion was 

 absolutely limited to thoir enclosures, if pmleeled by a fence 

 not less than two feet high. The quality of their multou was 

 equal, while their aptitude to fatten was decidedly superior to 

 their longer legged contemporaries, They are probably now 

 nearly or quite extinct, (ioneral Washington produced an 

 excellent variety, from a cross of a Persian ram, upon the 



