THE BREEDS OF SHEEP 75 



special purpose in his business. Another grouping is also 

 sometimes made, consisting of the fine-wool, or Merino 

 class, and the mutton breeds. However, this last arrange- 

 ment is more commonly referred to by shepherds than by 

 wool dealers. There are many different breeds of sheep, 

 some of which are but little known in America, and the fol- 

 lowing are the only ones of importance in this country. 



The Merino is a very old breed that had its important 

 early development in Spain. Here for centuries the Monks 

 and wealthy people owned large flocks that were noted for 

 their very fine wool. As long ago as the first century, the 

 sheep of Spain were famous, and 700 years ago the manu- 

 facture of wool into beautiful cloth was a great industry 

 in that country. When the people of the other European 

 countries learned of the fine wool that was produced there, 

 they sent to Spain and obtained some of the Spanish sheep. 

 Specially selected flocks were taken to Germany and France 

 in the latter part of the eighteenth century. 



The first Merinos were brought to the United States 

 in 1793. Three head were smuggled out of Spain by William 

 Foster of Boston. He gave them to a friend, who killed them 

 for meat, not knowing how valuable they were, until 

 he later paid $1000 for a ram of the same breed. Seth 

 Adams of Massachusetts, later of Ohio, imported a pair 

 in 1801, and in 1802 Colonel Humphreys of Connecticut 

 brought to America nearly 100 head. These Humphrey 

 sheep proved very valuable, and from them some of the best 

 flocks in America started. Much interest followed these two 

 importations. Soon other people began to import Merinos 

 into the United States, and very high prices were paid for 

 them. During 18 months ending in 1811, nearly 20,000 

 of these sheep were brought to this country. The people 

 became almost crazy over Merinos, and paid very high 



