•219 ACRICULTUSAL MUSEWM 



^ of our country. I wish you to make an cxperimettt 

 " with a pure Merino ram and some of your best 

 " Smith's Island Ewes. 



" However friendly I am to domestic manufactures, 

 ^' I am totally opposed to the mad scheme of forch>g 

 " manufactures by heavy duties, giving rise to groat 

 ^' manufacturing establishments, supported by vvealtliy 

 ^' intiividuais, and tending to destroy the physical, mo 

 '* ral and political character of the laborer. The greatt 

 *' manufactu"ing towns are sinks of corruption, mise- 

 " ry aiid wretchedness; such is the exp'MJence of all 

 "file world, under wliatever government^' 

 Note to the above by Mr. Custis 



The importation of Merinos, may prove a real and 

 important benefit to American ojconomy if the practice 

 of Dr. Parry, Mr. Coke and other distinguished breeders^ 

 is promptly followed in the United States. To preserve 

 the Merino race entire, would be at once unwise, impo- 

 litic, and in many respect: injurions. We have many 

 usf^fui native breeds, which by crossing with these valu- 

 ed strangers, wo^dd imbibe a sufficiency of their superior 

 qualities to answer e^ cry necessary and ordinary [pur- 

 pose. At the ^ame time, this system would rescue the 

 native sheep from unmerited neglect, and disperse 

 the Merino strain through all paits of our courntry. 

 Again, claths made of the pure Merino wool are only 

 auited to the uses of the rich and luxurious. Their costly 

 nature |(reclu<Iesth;Mr introduction to the humbler walks 

 of life ; and altho' the man of fortune may indulge in the 

 comforts of warm clothing, flannels and night-caps, 

 liis poorer neighbor ^^ill still be shivering in the horror* 

 of nakedness and neglect. 



If njanufjctures are wanting, they are especially 

 wanting to the nctdy and distressed — a blanket is more 

 useful than a sliavvl, a strong cloth more extensively use- 

 ful, itan a tine one. 'J o f ncourage domestic establish- 

 •mcntsin pari&lit;* and townships and to discourage exten- 

 sive monopolies, should form the eiseiitial policy of oer 



