AdrRietlLtURAL MUSEU]^ 1^ 



'k\s\\ \Tco] degraded the quality of the cloth, and disgraced 

 the iMunufacturer. To many, this seemed an alarming 

 circumstance, and it surely was a matter of just regret, 

 to find that tlie most precious fabrics of our grand staple 

 xnauulacture depended upon the precarious supply of a 

 foreign, and oftentimes a hostile country. To render this 

 kingdom independent of a foreign supply, of so requi-- 

 «ite and so valuable a raw material, must always have 

 been a desideratum to the patriot, and the politician. In 

 this point of view, it was an object worthy of your So- 

 ciety to promote, to the utmost of your power, so lauda- 

 ble an achievement. The efforts of Lord Somervillej 

 Di'. Parry, and some other members of your Society, 

 have been, 1 doubt not, duly appreciated; and you have 

 seen, both in the wool and in the cloth and kerseymere 

 produced from the Merinos, and their respective crosses, 

 such articles as, ten years ago^ no one would have admit- 

 ted the practicability of raising on our soil, and under the 

 influence of our climate. However, the patriotism of 

 individuals, or even the efforts of a society like yours, 

 would be able to effect hut little in so extensive a design. 

 To point out its utility, and to shew its practicability, 

 would be all that could be expected in the early stages of 

 the undertaking. Whatever benefit the country might 

 derive from raising superfine wool for our own supplies^ 

 little could be exj)ected to result from the theory, unless 

 it should be made to appear clearly, that it was manifest- 

 ly the interest of the individual to promote it. With a 

 view to ascertain this, 1 presume your premium was 

 framed ; and, in this light, the report of your committee 

 appears to be very important. To me, from my own ex- 

 perience, it is perfectly satisfactory. The South Down 

 and Ryeland sheep, with which this comparison has 

 been made, are, in my estimation, among the best races 

 of the kingdom. The return of Lord Somerville's South 

 Down wool was 5s. 6d. per fleece. My average has 

 been, in general, not more than 4s. (M ; that of my Rye- 

 lands about tliG same as hig, la the year 1§03; my sheep 



