EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 



329 



This shows a net receipt for the flock of $207.25, an average per sheep 

 of 82.07. By feeding more grain the yield of wool could have been in- 

 creased to 7 pounds each, and by having the lambs dropped in January, 

 and by an additional outlay of grain and labor, they would sell in New 

 York, by May 1, at $10 to $12 per head. 



The profits are not confined to spring lambs. A case is cited where 

 a farmer had a flock of 75 wethers, three years old, for which he had 

 several times refused an offer of four cents a pound, live weight. These 

 sheep averaged 115 pounds. Their wool yielded an annual income of 

 $2 per head for three years. Had they been sold in December, 1889, 

 the owner would have had, as gross receipts, $10.60 per head. Deduct 

 $7.60 for cost of keeping, a liberal estimate, and there still remains a 

 balance of $3 on the right side, beside the great advantage of market- 

 ing all the hay and grain on the farm, and the possession of an excel- 

 lent manure to increase its fertility. 



Sheep and wool in Vermont, 1840 to 1890. 



From January 1, 1890, to January 1, 1892, there has been a decline 

 in the number of sheep of about 4,000, for which full compensation has 

 been made by the improvement noted in the quality. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



The valley of the Connecticut Eiver and its inclosing hills and moun- 

 tains pastured many fine sheep, and of these New Hampshire had its 

 share. The Merino had there an early introduction, and near the Ver- 

 mont line William Jarvis gathered and wintered his flock in 1810-'ll. 

 But earlier than this Dr. Parkhurst, of Lebanon, had Humphreys sheep, 

 presumably half or three-quarter bloods. William Jarvis sold some of 

 his sheep to parties in the State, and among the early breeders was his 

 namesake, Leonard Jarvis, of Claremont, who had a noted flock which 

 he kept for many years and which numbered from 1,000 to 2,500 head. 

 He commenced growing fine wool with a considerable number of the 

 Paular, Escurial, Negretti, Aguirres, and Montarcos. Each variety 

 was kept by itself, but after a few years the Negretti, Aguirres, and 

 Montarcos were discarded in favor of the Paular and Escurial. These 

 two flocks, then considered as the best stock in Spain, were kept 

 entirely separate, pure, and unmixed from 1810 for thirty years. At 



