166 AGRICULTURAr MUSEUM 



a shape unfit to breed from § ; notwithstanding the sa- 

 crifice was great, prime cost and heavy expcnces of the 

 voyage considered, they were cut about the middle or 

 end of October ; and aUhough very low in order at that 

 time, even these have exhibited a tendency to get fat, 

 which absolutely surpasses belief Some of them werp 

 spared to a gentleman near Taunton, and were judged 

 by butchers to be fit to kill, and good meat in January. 

 For two Merino ewes exhibited, fifty guineas were offer- 

 ed, in presence of the whole meeting, and more was ready 

 to be given, if that price was not sufficient; it was not 

 accepted. 



§ Out of thirty-three Merino rams, of pure blootf, thirty were not fit to breed from, with a view 

 t» improvement of any thing but wool, and one only, from vhich rapid approximation to that outlius 

 <tt trune indispensably reguijite in tlieeyes of every British f-rmer, could be expected. 



[To be continued.] 



For the Agricultural Museum. 

 On the Scab on Sheep. 

 Communicated by a Farmer of respectability and ex- 

 perience in the upper part of Virginia. 



Ttis of the first importance that all persons who are 

 engaged in sheep breeding, and especially those who 

 are purchasers of the imported Merino sheep, should 

 guard well against any disease they may chance to bring 

 with them — one in particular that is not so discoverable, 

 the scab ; which frequently docs not apparently affect the 

 health of the sheep, or reduce his fat, until having gained 

 a considerable ascendency. Its first appearance is a dead- 

 liess and dryness of the wool, it being both thinner ami 

 shorter, the flesh preserving often a healthy appearance 

 As this disease is contagious it should be carefully guar di- 

 ed against. Every Merino not having the most per- 

 fect health (which is rarely the case alter a long 

 voyage) should be well washed in warm water and 

 soap, this should be repeated if health is not rcsto- 

 red; which may be always told by the growth aud ap- 



