182 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Total amount of the sale, $5,960, or an average per head of $238.40; highest-priced 

 ram, $370; average of the healthy rams, $293; highest-priced ewe, $400; average of 

 the ewes, $229. 



Most of the purchasers were from Pennsylvania. Some were from 

 New Jersey and Delaware, and it was thought certain the prices would 

 have ranged higher had not 200 Merino sheep arrived in the city within 

 a few days and were known to be for sale Infantados imported from 

 Cadiz by Capt. Charles Stewart, U. S. Navy. 



The shipment to Alexandria arrived in good order, and the sheep 

 were sold at Broomlawn, near that city, on September 10, warranted 

 genuine full- blood Merino sheep. The sale was well attended, and Gen. 

 John Mason made a purchase of the Viadillo ram, which next year 

 sheared 9 pounds of wool, or 1 pound to 9 J of the carcass, his Infantado 

 rams giving 1 pound to 10, and his Paular rams 1 to 14J. 



The small flock of 39 sent to James and John Dunlap, at Petersburg, 

 Va., turned out badly. Some were lost, and 6 rams and 21 ewes were 

 offered at public sale October 19. The sale was not successful, owing 

 to want of bidders. The sheep were in excellent condition, and there 

 were a number of spectators present, some from the country, and men 

 of fortune, too; but no one seemed anxious to purchase, at least no dis- 

 position was shown to give anything like the price which was looked 

 for. After dwelling some time, with no encouragement, the auctioneer 

 dropped his hammer, the conference dispersed, and the sheep were 

 suffered to be carried back to Eoslin. Says the Petersburg Intelligencer 

 of November 1 : 



How great is the difference in public sentiment as regards these sheep, in some 

 parts of the Union from what it is in others. In the Northern and Eastern States 

 the Merinos are sought after with the greatest avidity and the most extravagant 

 prices given, whereas in Virginia the greatest indifference is manifested about 

 them. Perhaps the cause may be found in the spirit of manufacturing, which more 

 generally pervades the former than the latter. 



The three purchases made by Mr. Jarvis prior to and including June 

 14, 1810, aggregated 3G5, of which 281 were shipped to various ports of 

 the United States, the last shipment being made July 6 or 7, that of 

 the Louisa to Alexandria. The 84 unaccounted for may be covered by 

 the consignment to Seth Kusscll & Sons, at-New Bedford, and by deaths. 

 He made no more purchases until July 10. 



There are but few recorded facts concerning the disposition of these 

 sheep beyond those already given. Coolidge & Co. disposed of those 

 consigned to them, principally in the New England States. On June 

 28, when Eichard Crowningshield offered five ewes and one buck for sale 

 in New York City, P. P. Schenck offered one ram and two ewes just 

 landed from Lisbon. They were not immediately sold, and were put up 

 at auction on July 3 and disposed of. On July 16 one ram with horns 

 and two ewes of the genuine Merino breed, lately imported at an eastern 

 port, 7 ' were offered for sale in New York City by David Coffin. On 

 August 6 " ten rams and ten ewes of the genuine Merino breed, lately 





