449 



quantities are exported to the Netherlands, France, and America, sup- 

 plying at the same time her own factories, which are not inconsidera- 

 ble, and which turn out a fabric that exceeds, for durability, that of 

 England or any other country. It will be readily admitted that these 

 sheep are a great source of wealth to Germany, and especially in those 

 districts , where they are raised to the greatest perfection and purity ; and 

 probably will continue to be so, for a great many years to come. The 

 demand for the pure race is great and constantly increasing ; and I 

 have been informed by my friends in that country, that the supply has 

 not been equal to the demand for the last three years, 



A person not acquainted with the system of breeding sheep in Ger- 

 many, may perhaps be led to doubt the vast difference that is made 

 there in the price, between the pure race and those of the mixed, or 

 cross-bred sheep, though possessing many excellences. Yet such is 

 the case. My friends in Saxony write me, that two hundred and fifty 

 rix dollars have been paid for individual rams within the last year, and 

 I have known of much higher prices having been paid. Those of the 

 mixed, or cress-bred race, are comparatively low, and can be obtained 

 at from three to fifteen rix dollars (the maximum price) per head, ac- 

 cording to quality and goodness, and among these are very often indi- 

 viduals possessing all the characteristic excellences of the pure race. 

 Yet they are not so valuable for breeding. Here arises a question, why 

 the fine sheep are so much higher in Germany, than in this country .'' 

 the answer is, that capital is so abundant and the rate of interest in 

 that country so low, that it is more profitable for agriculturists to invest 

 part of their surplus capital in fine sheep than to let it out at simple in- 

 tei'est. 



I have been thus particular in giving you an outline of the introduc- 

 tion of the Escurial Merino sheep into Germany, and the high estima- 

 tion in which the now called Escurial Saxony sheep are held in that 

 and other countries, as many of our farmers have not a correct idea 

 of the origin of the Saxony Merinos ; and as a fear has often been ex- 

 pressed, that the growing of wool will soon be overdone and not be 

 worthy the attention of farmers. To those, let me answer, that fifty 

 years ago similar fears were entertained in Germany, but that experi- 

 ence has proved them groundless ; and that, whenever that time arrives, 

 it may fairly be presumed, that all other agricultural pursuits will be in 

 a similar condition. 



I will now briefly notice the introduction of the Saxony Merino sheep 



57 



