1^. Agricultural museum 



" I must add, that the average vakie of Laid Somer^ 

 viile's sheep land, does not exceed 36s. per acre. From 

 this view of all the particulars of the report, 1 am of opi- 

 nion, not only that Lord Somervillc is intitled to the prc^ 

 mium olVered by this Societj-, but that he justly merits 

 the most grateful acknowledgements of his country. 



" C. Ji. PARRY.'^ 



« Uth Nov. 1804" 



The second Essay which was given in on this claim, 

 not being in print, I have great pleasure in being ena- 

 bled to give it entire. No man is more competent to 

 give an opinion in these points, than the writer, whether 

 we advert to his ability or integrity. 



*'I had the honor to receive the report of the Commit- 

 tee appoint&d to investigate the claim of Lord Somervillc 

 to your premium, No 15, Class 4 ; with a request that f 

 would attentively examine the same, and furnish the 

 next meeting with my observations. Having for some 

 years had experience of the Merino breed of sheep, and 

 the usual crosses of them, I am the less surprised at the 

 result of that investigation, so highly favourable in profit 

 to that particular sort of sheep. To the exertions of 

 your Society, in that branch of agriculture which relates 

 to the ^Improvement of our clothing-wools, the country is 

 likely, in due time, to reap the most important advanta- 

 ges A project which, by many, was considered as a 

 wild and fanciful theory, and which at Ih-st had to en- 

 counter the most obstinate prejudices, has been giadu- 

 ally and steadily advancing. The various specimens of 

 superfine cloths and kerseymeres, manufactured from 

 wool of British growth, which have been exhibited at se- 

 veral of your last annual meetings, have, I trust, b-ecn 

 satisfactory proofs of the practicability of improving 

 our native wools to a degree far surpassing what was ex- 

 pected in so short a time, even by the most sanguine. \t 

 had been, as I understand, a point lojig settled witli ibje 

 manufacturers, that superfine broad cloth could only be 

 made of Spanish wool; and that any admixture of Bri- 



