146 AGRlCULTUilAL MUSEUM 



the ArlingtoM long- wooleiS, still trace their origin (o-llic 

 iniport(Mi Persiiip, iiUlio' the latter flock received an es- 

 sential benefit from (he imjn'opcd or Bukewell cross. 

 upon the lon^ n oolcd. 



. The general race of Sheep In the Southern Gauntry, 

 previous to feiie introduction of the Per.sian, were re- 

 markable for a short, knott}-, and cotton like ai)pearanec 

 of wool, hardly enough to keep the animal itself com- 

 fortable, and hardly any to spare to the farmer's use m 

 any season. The Persian greatly increaaed tlie length 

 of staple — gave a very sviperior forrn, to this degenerate 

 race. The flocks upon t!ie estate of Mr. Custis In New 

 Kent, were of the old race of the country, as just re- 

 marked, till 1806, wool 2 or 3 inches long, and sparingly 

 scattered upon a very spai'c and gaunt fiame ; since tliis 

 period the flocics have become a fine long wooled race, 

 and much admired both for wool and appearance. 



The im^jortcd Persian Ewe died a few years since at 

 Arlington. A thorough bred Ram was sent from Arl- 

 ington to the estate of George Calvert, Esq. of llivers- 

 daie, near Bladensburg, and was the onl}' one bred from 

 the imported stock. Mr. Cajvert bhoared a very fine 

 La;nb, of the long wooled race, a year since, probably 

 derived from his Persian. It is presumed that some of 

 the Persian race are still existing about the estate of Col. 

 O'Donnel, near Baltimore, and if so, they are well warth 

 the attention of long-wool brcedeis.. 



(6) The average weight of Sheep, to the South is very 

 similar, from 40 to 60 lbs. neat — 100 is ^ large mutton 

 south of the Susquehaimah, altho' in a few instances, 

 they have been found of still greater weights. Smith's 

 Island wethers are quoted at 60 lbs. neat. These sheep 

 being children of our soil and clime, may be considered 

 as u. fair average for the best pastures of the South. — 



The price of Sheep in Mrginia, may be rated at from 

 one to two dollars per head for Lambs, from two to 

 three for grown Sheep when poor, and from three to five 

 for fat wctliers, according to the season. — The priCe 



