384 AUUICUI/rURAL MUSTiUM 



no sheep were foiuif! Iicrc, bv the Roman^;, but wcrf. 

 probably introduced by lh«Mn, aiul fed only upon 

 the hilly country, they iiiuy have better resisted tlir 

 influence of the chmale than at present^ vviien much of the 

 low and marshy land is broiifjht into cultivation. If 

 they should not retain their fine coats in Er:glandj tlic 

 introduction of the Merino iiere, will be the more im- 

 portant as tbcy must cither obtain their supplies from us, 

 or send their manufacturers to work: the wool up here— 

 I am sorry the wiiucr has i)cen so unfavorable to j-our 

 flocks, mine have passed throiigh it very well. I wintered 

 about 700, and except a few th:it died from having 

 been castrated too late in the season, I have los'Ji 

 but four by disease and accident. Sjme others how- 

 ever have not been so fortunate. Into some fine flocks 

 in this state, the clavcan or small pox has b.^'cn introdu- 

 ced from tile foreign sheep, and great niimoers have diei5 

 with it Too much, caution cannot be used to gaai-<$ 

 against the introduction of new complaints, tlic imported 

 flocks having many with which we have hitherto had 

 no acquaintance. 



1 thank you for the ewes yon arc so oblging as l« 

 offer me. I shall not fail to receive them wi h {)leasure, 

 and to cnltixate them with care, as well for their intritt- 

 ?ie merit, as for the sake of the donor. 



Thave a very rrmarkablcinstanceof fertility in my flock 

 nf common ewes, of wliich 1 have about fort}', several 

 of which have not yet lambed — From twenty three 1 

 have forty eight lambs alive and well, 21 cast two, and 

 tAA o brought three lambs each; they were tupped bj' a 

 full blood Merino of 18 months old, who had before 

 run to about 100 ewes, that 1 sold in lamb. It does not 

 appear to have injured him. He is now the largest sheep 

 1 have seen in this state, and will, I think, weigh about 

 200 wt. and give at least iiJ pounds of wool. His first, 

 coat was 11 pounds 11 ounces. Ace .:t Sir, my best 

 wishes for success in jour useful projects, and 

 Believe n.c, with esteem, dear Sir, 



your ob't' humble seiTfc. 



