HTE 



AGHICULTUHAL MUSEUM. 



OMNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUS. VIRG, 



Vol. r.] Qeorgetoivn, Ca. Jan. 23, 1811. |No. 15. 



Fot^ the ^Agricultural Museum, 

 MEHINO SHEEP. 



The late importations of Merino Sheep having created 

 considerable interest among the farmers of the United 

 States, it may not be amiss for us to enquire into the 

 degree of esteem, in which these animals may be held 

 abroad. The following is the extract of a letter from 

 an American gentleman, of considerable celebrity ia 

 the agricultural world, who has lately returned from a 

 visit to England. The letter is addressed to Mr. Cus- 

 tis of Arhngton, and bears date 20th December, 1810. 



" Notwithstanding the present rage for Merino 

 ** Sheep, whh you, I have my doubts how far the pure 

 " Merino, is the best breed for our country Even in 

 *' England, many of their most eminent Agriculturalists 

 *' are not satisried of the advantage to their country, 

 " of confining their stock to that breed. Dv. Parry of 

 *^ Bath, has a flock he 'hiuks so far im{»roved, by cros- 

 " sing the Merino with the Ryelani, that he would not 

 *' pe- mit a pare Merino ra n to be in his Hock tor one 

 *' thousand guineas. Mr. Coke, the best and mostexten- 

 " sive Agriculunalist in England is crossing the Meri- 

 *' no with the South Down, greatly to his satisfaciion, I 

 " have been for a few years crossing the Merino with 

 " the Bakrwell A young ram sold from my flock the 

 " last year, has shorn eh ven and an half pounds. The 

 " only advantage of Merino, is the fineness of wool; 

 " in quantity, staple and cai ca>s, it is ir.ferior to some 

 ^ ©Uier breeds we might propagate xq the advantage 



