162 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



their hopes and expectations concerning the utility of this interesting species of 

 animals have not been disappointed. The attempt to propagate the pure Merinos in 

 this country has been attended with complete success. The extent of the experi- 

 ment insures the duration of the unadulterated breed. Instead of degenerating in 

 the quantity or quality of their fleeces, the identical sheep which I brought to this 

 country yield, on an average, half a pound more of wool apiece than they did at the 

 first shearing after their arrival. Nor, on the nicest and most candid examination, 

 is it found that there is any finer wool produced in Spain than that which is annually 

 shorn from these same imported Merinos and their full-blooded offspring. The rams 

 born in America are, hoAvever, generally preferred to those born in Spain, by persons 

 who now make application to my agent for Merino rams to cross the blood of their 

 flocks in breeding from them by American ewes. It is the opinion of all farmers in 

 Connecticut who have been acquainted with the original flock and its descendants, 

 both of the pure and mingled blood, that they are hardier, better adapted to our 

 climate, and more easily nourished, both in summer and winter, than the common 

 breed of American sheep. They are likewise remarkable for being more gregarious 

 and less disposed to stray or get over fences than the others. Finally, it may truly 

 be asserted that they preserve the entire character, features, and qualities of the 

 best Merinos in Spain. 



The mixture of the Spanish with the American blood has succeeded in ameliorat- 

 ing the pile of the fleece beyond my most sanguine expectations. As a proof of the 

 superior value of the wool of the half-blood Merinos, it is a Avell-known truth that 

 it has been sold for a dollar a pound in Connecticut, and still dearer in New York, 

 the present season, while the best common wool has been sold for about half that 

 price. The half-blooded Merinos produce more wool than the common sheep, and 

 they ordinarily attain a larger size than the Spanish or American breed, from which 

 they are descended. The facts here stated agree in substance with those established 

 by experience in every country of Europe in which I have traveled, where this breed 

 of sheep has been introduced. In England and France the greatest care and ex- 

 pense are now bestowed under royal and imperial protection for its extensive propa- 

 gation. 



A difficulty was experienced at first in carding the wool by the common carding 

 machines. This has been overcome. 



Some farmers, who early introduced a mixture of this blood into their flocks, have 

 made in domestic manufacture, for sale, live or six pieces of cloth from this AVOO! 

 during the present year. I shall have several hundred yards, fabricated entirely by 

 machinery from pure Merino fleeces. Several thousands, made by the same process, 

 from the common sheep's wool of the country, have already been sent to market. 

 Samples of both kinds, with the prices, are inclosed. 



HOAV long a period must pass before the prejudice against the fabrics of our country 

 can be extinguished is not for me to decide. If any suitable means for their ex- 

 tinction could be deA r ised and adopted, perhaps an essential service would be there- 

 by rendered to the real prosperity and independence of the United States. 



The second letter is dated Factory (Eenomon Falls), Derby, Decem- 

 ber 10, 1807: 



The importance of rightly understanding the best means of multiplying and im- 

 proving the fine-wooled breed of sheep, derived from a cross of the pure Merino blood 

 with that of the common flocks of the country, must be my apology for offering a 

 feAV observations in addition to those which I had the honor of communicating to 

 your agricultural society on the 28th of last month. 



To facilitate the extension of this improved breed, and to confirm its superior ex- 

 cellence in point of wool, it is conceived, are objects which have a peculiar claim 

 to the public attention. 



A mixed breed being first produced from our finest Avooled owes by full-blooded 

 Merino rams, it is still desirable that the Spanish blood should be renewed for three 



