300 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



and sometimes plaited dewlaps and folds of moderate size about the neck. The ranis 

 had larger ones. They were darker externally than the Jarvis sheep, but not so 

 much so as the Atwood sheep, indicating that their wool contained more yolk than 

 the former and less than the latter. The wool was longer than that of either of the 

 other families, very thick, and covered them better on the belly, legs, and head. 

 But it was inferior in fineness, evenness, and style. It was quite coarse on the thigh, 

 and hairs were occasionally seen on the neck folds. The lambs were often covered 

 with hair when yeaned, and their legs and ears were marked by patches of tan color 

 which subsequently disappeared except on the ears, where it continued to show 

 faintly. They were better nurses and hardier than either of the other families. I 

 have remarked in a former publication that they were precisely the negligent farm- 

 er's sheep. They encountered short keep, careless treatment of all kinds, exposure 

 to autumal storms and winter gales, with a degree of impunity which was unexam- 

 pled. Their lambs came big, bony, and strong, and did not suffer much if they were 

 dropped in a snow bank. In 1842 and 1843 this flock was bred to a Jarvis ram 

 peculiarly dark, thick, and heavy fleeced, and compact in form for one of his family 

 the object of Mr. Eich being to avoid breeding in-and-in and to improve the quality 

 of his wool. For the same object and to increase the yolkiness of the wool, a dip or 

 two of the Atwood blood has been since taken ; but it has always been made a point 

 to breed back after taking these crosses, so as essentially to preserve the blood and 

 distinctive characteristics of the original family. The Messrs. Rich have succeeded 

 in all these objects, and have kept up well with the rapid current of modern improve- 

 ment. Their sheep are not as large, nor do they yield so much wool per head as the 

 improved Infantados, but they possess symmetrical forms which are remarkable for 

 compactness. The body is shortish, and very thick, with their ancient good fore 

 and hind quarters; and their heads, though thick and short, have lost their coarse- 

 ness. Their fleeces are even and good. But that merit which gives them their great 

 popularity in Vermont and elsewhere is their adaptation to thin, scant herbage, and 

 to their qualities as working flocks. They demand no extra care or keep to develop 

 their qualities, are always lively and alert; and though gentle and perfectly free 

 from restlessness of temperament, they are ready to rove far and near to obtain their 

 food. And for all they consume they make the most ample returns. While they 

 will pay for care they will thrive with but little care. In a word, they remain, par 

 excellence, the negligent farmer's sheep.* 



The Eicli flock of sheep, founded in 1823, is the oldest flock of pure- 

 bred Merinos now existing in the United States, without change ex- 

 cept by regular family descent. It has been kept on the same farm, 

 and owned in the same family, for sixty-eight years. From it have been 

 sent sheep to all portions of the United States, and to other parts of the 

 world. 



A branch of this flock, taken to Michigan, remains to be noted. In 

 1848 John W. Eich purchased three rams and a few ewes from the flocks 

 of J. T. & V. Eich, Tyler Stickney, and D. & GL Cutting, and took them 

 to Lapeer, Mich. These purchases were made partly on account of 

 Hon. Charles Eich, formerly the owner of the part of the Eich flock sold 

 E. E. Eobinson and Tyler Stickney. The sheep subsequently became 

 the common property of Charles and John W. Eich, and were bred en- 

 tirely within the flock taken to Michigan until 1851, when a ram was 

 purchased of J. T. & V. Eich and used a number of years. In 1853 an 

 addition was made to the flock of 10 ewes from the flock of Tyler Stick- 



*The Practical Shepherd. Henry S. Randall, 1863. 



