farmers' miscellany. 75 



■specially are these folds ample upon the sides. These corruga- 

 ions form no obstacle to shearing as might at first be supposed, as 

 hey can be drawn smooth enough for the shears to pass over them, 

 believe it has been erroneously supposed that the Merino owes 

 jiuch of its weight of fleece to its gum. There is, it is true, a con- 

 iderable crust upon the surface, or the extremity of the wool, 

 ;hich does not readily wash out in cold water ; but the oil 

 iside of the wool where there is no concrete gum, washes as 

 .\T(lily from the Merino as the Saxon. Indeed, the distinguished 

 iianufacturer, Samuel LaicrencCy Esq., of Boston, in answer to in- 

 quiries addressed to him last year, stated the fact that the shrink- 

 re in scouring, between Merino and Saxon wool both washed in 

 le ordinary manner was only seven per cent. Mr. R. considers 

 le outer crust a decided advantage, as a protection from cold and 

 orms, but objects entirely to any inside concrete gum which he 

 inks of no use — or only of use to take in the inexperienced pur- 

 laser; a course as injurious to the ultimate interests, as to the 

 (putation of the wool grower. I observed that the wool of all 

 is sheep opened free from this gum. 



I saw in addition to the above, six reserved rams, some of which 

 e intended to be used as stock rams, and others to carry cut 

 me small experiments in crossing. Two were Paulars, the third 

 ied by Francis Rotch, the fourth from Consul Jarvis' stock 

 (Ihrough the Sandford buck,) and the other two, the half blood 

 limbouillet stock already alluded to. Some of these were choice 

 < imals ; but the two Paulars (one of them the prize ram,) were really 

 sperb animals. The oldest now coming three, sheared 8 lbs. for 

 h first fleece, about 10 lbs. for second, and Mr. R. is confident 

 1; third, or present fleece, will exceed 12 lbs. of washed wool! 

 l)r does the Merino attain his full Aveight of fleece until four. For 

 crease, weight and quality of fleece, with all peculiar character- 

 ises of the Merino, I never have seen an animal which excelled 

 m ; and the other Paular, a yearling, bids fair to equal the first, 

 c prize ram. 



To secure confidence in all Mr. R.'s statements, in regard to 

 "vight, Mr. R. adopts a plan worthy of imitation. At shearing, 

 Sne individual of well known character is invited to bring his 

 oin steelyards, and he weighs and makes a minute of each fleece 

 ait is taken from the sheep. It is true, such testimony is not 



