EAST OF TliE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 421 



These sheep were introduced into the United States, principally into 

 Virginia, some time before the war of the rebellion, and many fine 

 Hocks suffered destruction at the hands of hungry soldiers. Within 

 a few years past they have grown in popularity, and many importa- 

 tions have been made. In 1855 Thomas Messenger, of Great Neck, 

 Long Island, imported a small flock from England, and the descend- 

 ants have been widely distributed throughout the country, and partic- 

 ularly in New York. In February, 1881, Henry Metcalf, Canaudaigua, 

 imported the Hampshire ram "Shepherd's Pride, 2d," bred by Mr. 

 Stubbs, of Aylesford. At 1 year old he weighed 201 pounds, and 

 the fleece of the first shearing weighed 9 pounds. 



In 1891 Mr. S. E. Bradley, of Nyack, imported two rams and five 

 ewes, pure Negretti Merinos, descended from the flock brought by 

 George III from Spain. They were bought from Sturgeon & Son, 

 Gray's Hall, Essex, England, for the purpose of breeding, and with the 

 idea of raising a flock from this celebrated strain. 



New York disputes the claim of Vermont for the first direct importa- 

 tion of the Dorset sheep, it being stated that the first direct importa- 

 tion of those sheep into the United States was made by Adin Thayer, 

 Hoosick Falls, June 10, 1887, and were landed at Boston, Mass. This 

 importation consisted of 12 sheep selected from the well-known flocks 

 of Henry Mayo, Cokes Frome, Dorchester, England. On September 4, 

 1887, Messrs. Woodward & Jaques, of Wrights Corners, made an impor- 

 tation, and again in July, 1888. Other importations have been 

 made and these original flocks drawn upon for new ewes, so that of the 

 eighty -eight flocks of thoroughbred Dorsets known in this country, 

 distributed over sixteen States, New York contains about twenty of 

 them. Mr. J. S. Woodward, who raises 800 head of sheep per year for 

 the market, and who has tried nearly every breed as sires to cross on 

 the so called Michigan Merino ewes, says none has given such good 

 results as the Dorsets. In the summer of 1890 he put with a flock of 

 126 ewes 3 rams, one each of Shropshire, Hampshire, and Dorset, all 

 faring alike. When the lambs came, of the first 60, only 3 had black 

 faces, and of the whole crop more than three-fourths were Dorset 

 crosses, and a much larger proportion of the twins showed Dorset 

 blood; besides, the Dorset lambs were much more vigorous. 



The most recent acquisition to the mutton sheep of the State and the 

 United States has been the introduction of the Black-faced Suffolk or 

 Suffolk Down. This breed is a cross between the old Norfolk Black- 

 faces of the last century (see page 46) and the Southdowns, probably 

 improved, think some, with a Hampshire Down cross. It was first de- 

 scribed in August, 1883, by H. Kaim Jackson as a proper " nigger," so 

 far as face and legs go, and the blacker these were the better. The meat 

 was said to be juicy and lean, and in much request in some places. It 

 was claimed for the breed that it was active and hardy and could live 

 where other breeds would famish. 



