76 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



was therefore easy to avoid the errors which others had acknowledged, 

 and to pursue, without fear of failure, a line of conduct grounded upon 

 principles which their experience as well as our own had shown to be 

 correct. 



It was assumed that the different dispositions and qualities of cattle 

 were well known to all who had had any experience in the business of graz- 

 ing. Some would come to maturity or fatten much sooner than others j' 

 in some the finer and more valuable parts were the heavier, while in 

 others they were lighter and coarser. If, then, was considered the great 

 difference in the profits to the breeder or grazier in rearing or feeding 

 one or the other kind of animals, the importance of propagating that 

 breed which possessed the more valuable qualities would be apparent. 

 " Repeated observations," says the address, "have established the 

 point that such qualities are generally connected with certain forms, and 

 as the knowledge of those forms was hitherto only to be obtained by a 

 course of experience, sometimes at much cost, or certainly at more cost 

 than was desirable, the society are preparing a publication, which, 

 among other papers, will contain the information requisite, and also 

 directions and remarks tending materially to assist the endeavors of 

 those who are disposed to commence the improvement of farm stock." 



This society was successfully launched, and on June 9, 1809, offered 

 premiums for superior cattle, hogs, and sheep. A premium of $50 was 

 offered " to the person who shall introduce and keep for hire in the 

 counties of Philadelphia or Delaware a full-bred rani of the ISTew Leices- 

 ter breed," and a premium of $100 "to the person who shall, by selec- 

 tion and admixture, originate a breed of sheep from our native stock 

 which shall fatten most speedily and produce the most and finest wool." 

 It was thought unnecessary to offer any premium for Merino sheep as 

 " the public ought to be fully aware of the very great and growing im- 

 portance of this invaluable breed." 



At the first semi-annual shows of this society, held in July and Octo- 

 ber, 1809, some of Humphreys' Spanish Merino sheep were exhibited, 

 and some Irish, Tunis or Barbary, New Leicester or Bakewell, and 

 Southdown. 



On November 1, 1809, Joseph Kent, Thomas Cramplin, Henry May- 

 nadier, John Mason, and Tench Kinggold formed a society at George- 

 town, D. 0., for the purpose of encouraging home manufactures and the 

 rearing of domestic amimals by inviting exhibitions and distributing 

 premiums. The first general meeting was held November 28, 1809, 

 under the name of the " Columbian Society for the promotion of Domes- 

 tic Economy," and the counties of Stafford, Prince William, Fairfax, 

 and Loudoun in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and the adjoining 

 counties in Maryland were well represented by their most substantial citi- 

 zens. At an adjourned meeting, December 13, 1809, it was determined 

 to give premiums for domestic manufactures and for improved live 

 Btock, of which there was to be given : 



One hundred dollars for the best two-toothed ram lamb. 



