136 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



created by the government on the proposition of M. Chouret. 

 On the subject of removal there were new protests. The council 

 of the city of Rambouillet, on the 13th July, 1849, unani- 

 mously resolved that it was for the public interest to keep the 

 flock in the great park of Rambouillet. The Central Agricul- 

 tural Society of Paris hastened to present a vote to the minister 

 upon the objections to the intended removal. 



In 1854, the idea was suggested to the Emperor of sending 

 the flock to Sologne or elsewhere. Her majesty did not fancy 

 this proposition, and went in company with M. Fould to visit 

 the Merinos, and condescended to take the establishment under 

 her august protection. By her orders, great improvements were 

 made. Napoleon I. built a long range of sheds in a wing. 

 Napoleon III. has built a second wing. Now the arrangement 

 and every thing about the buildings is pretty complete. 



It is admitted that the flock ought to remain where it is. 

 It prospers there, has wide ranges and favorable shade, and no 

 dust. A perfect enclosure prevents the possibility of contam- 

 ination of blood and contagious diseases. Carried elsewhere 

 it would no longer be the flock of Rambouillet. It would cease, 

 as has been judiciously observed, to exist in name and in fact, 

 because it would lose its renown and its influence. The farm 

 of Rambouillet alone can preserve it. 



Thus has it been kept through all the changing regimes of 

 Franee. 



With such an imposing array of sheep, about two thousand 

 in number, selected from the first and most improved flocks in 

 Europe, it was a source of gratification and pride to every 

 American, that we had any at all to show, and that the twelve 

 from Vermont were so far superior to the best representatives 

 of Saxony, Silesia and Prance, those nurseries of fine wool, as 

 to bear off two first prizes and one second prize, and that, too, 

 with a large competition in the same class. The awafd was 

 understood to be a unanimous one, the judges each represent- 

 ing different nationalities. The owner of these sheep, Mr. 

 George Campbell, sold them, after the exhibition, for one thou- 

 sand pounds sterling, to go to Silesia. 



Governor Smith, of Vermont, in his address to the legislature, 

 thus alludes to this success : — 



