260 SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 



ness. The threads of the former are spun to extreme fineness to econo- 

 mize the costly raw materiaL To give it that finish which is demanded 

 by fashion — to give it its beautiful nap — these threads are still farther re- 

 duced by "gigging" and "shearing." But spin fine wool into yarn as 

 coarse as that used in Chelmsfords, and manufacture it in the same way, 

 and it would make a far stronger and more durable cloth. The reasons 

 are obvious. Merino wool is decidedly stronger than the English coarse 

 Long and Middle wools — or any other coarse wools — in proportion to its 

 diameter or bulk. It felts far better, and there is therefore a greater co- 

 hesion between the different fibres of the same thi-ead, and between the 

 different threads. It is also more pliable and elastic, and consequently less 

 subject to " breaking" and abrasion. 



Unless the views I have advanced are singularly erroneous, it will be 

 seen that, for wool-growing 2iurposes, the Merino possesses a marked and 

 decided superiority over the best breeds and families of coarse-wooled 

 sheep. As a mutton sheep, it is inferior to some of those breeds, but not 

 so much so as it is generally reputed to be. If required to consume the 

 fat and lean togctJter, many who have never tasted Merino mutton, and 

 who have an unfavoi'able impression of it, would, I suspect, find it more 

 palatable than the luscious and over-fat New Leicester. The mutton of 

 the cross between the Merino and^ " Native " sheep would certainly be 

 preferred to the Leicester, by anybody but an English laborer used to the 

 latter. It is short-grained, tender, and of good flavor. The same is true 

 of the crosses with the English varieties. These will be, hereafter, more 

 particularly alluded to. Grade Merino wethers (say half-bloods) are favor- 

 ites with the Northern drover and butcher. They are of good size — ex- 

 traordinarily heavy for their apparent bulk* — make good mutton — tallow 

 well — and their pelts, from the greater weight of wool on them, command 

 an extra price. They would, in my opinion, furnish a mutton every way 

 suitable for plantation consumption, and one which woidd be well accept- 

 ed in the Southei-n markets. 



In speaking of the Merino in this connection, I have in all cases, unless 

 it is distinctly specified to the contrary, had no reference to the Saxons — 

 though they are, as it is well known, pure-blooded descendants of the 

 former. 



Assuming it now as a settled point, that it is to the Merino race that the 

 wool-grower must look for the most profitable sheeji, let us now proceed 

 to inquire which of the widely varying sub-varieties of this race are best 

 adapted to the wants and circumstances of the South. A brief glance at 

 the history of wool-growing, and of the avooI markets, for the last few 

 years, will form an useful preliminary inquiry, and will assist us materially 

 in arriving at a correct conclusion. 



On the introduction of the Saxons, about twenty-four years since, they 

 were sought with avidity by the holders of the fine-wooled flocks of the 

 country, consisting at that time of pure or grade Merinos. The Tariff of 

 1824 imposed a duty of 20 per cent, on wools costing above 10 cents per 

 pound, gradually rising to 30 per cent., and 15 per cent, on those costing 

 less than 10 cents. Foreign woolen cloths t were subject to an ad valorem 

 duty of 30 per cent, until June 30th, 1825, and after that it was raised to 33-|- 

 per cent. The Tariff of 1828 immediately raised the duty on all wools to 40 

 per cent, ad valorem and 4 cents per pound specific duty, and 5 per cent, 

 was to be annually added to the ad valorem duty, until it should reach 50 



* On account of the shnrtne?? of their wool, compnred with the coarse breeds. 



t Where I nee the word " cloths " here and in the statemruts of the ditl'ercnt Tarifls which follow, you 

 will understand that I do not include carpetings, blankets, worsted stuff goods, &c. 

 (548) 



