THE GENESEE FARMER, 



14r 





80DTH-D0WN BUCK "THORNDALE." BRED BT SAMUEI, THORNE, WASHINGTON HOLLOW, N. T. 



SHEEP— THEIE EAULY INTRODUCTION. 



Tira first sheep introduced into America, of 

 which we have any record, were brought from 

 England to Jamestown, Virginia, in 1609. In 

 1648, the numher increased to 3,000. In the early 

 part of the last century, they throve well and bore 

 good fleeces; but wool-raising was suffered to de- 

 cline, owing to the losses sustained by tearing off 

 the wool by bushes and briars. 



Sheep were introduced into the plantations of 

 Massachusetts Bay prior to 1633, as mention is 

 made of keeping them on the islands in the harbor, 

 to protect them from the Indians and wolves. 

 They were introduced into Nantucket in 1660, at 

 the time of the first settlement by the proprietors. 



The first sheep imported into this State, accord- 

 ing to Van Onderdoxck, who wrote about the 

 year 1650, were brought from Holland in 1625; 

 others were brought from Zealand and Texel to 

 Rensselaerwick in 1630. But little progress was 

 made on the Hudson for many years, in conse- 

 quence of the ravages committed by dogs and 

 wolves. In 1643, there were not over sixteen 

 sheep in the colony. In 1650, they were so scarce 

 that an animal bearing wool was worth from eight 

 to ten dollars. 



The first Spanish sheep introduced into this 

 country, of which we have any account, were sent 

 hy M. Delessekt, a banker in Paris, and arrived at 

 Philadelphia, in the ship Benjamin Franklin, on the 

 16tli of July, 1801. Owing to a long and boister- 

 ous passage, out of the four bucks shipped only one 

 lived to reach this country. 



The introduction of Merino sheep into the United 

 States formed an era from which we may date much 

 of our thrift and prosperity. Chancellor Livings- 

 ton, of this State, foresaw at an early period the 

 immense advantages that would result to our coun- 

 try from their introduction, and sent from Spain, 

 in 1802, two couples of select Spanish Merino sheep ; 

 and to him belongs the honor of one of the earliest 

 importations. Subsequently, by himself, Colonel 

 HuMFjiBY, Gen, Deeby, Consul Jaevis, and others, 



the country was supplied with Merino sheep. It 

 was not, however, until some seven or eight years 

 after their first introduction, that their importance 

 began to be appreciated. A mania for sheep then 

 commenced, scarcely excelled by the Morus multi- 

 cauUs speculation at a later period. As much as 

 |1,000, and in some instances $1,500, was paid for 

 a single buck ! 



In 1810 or '12, Bakewell sheep were first intro- 

 duced on Long Island, by Thomas Lax, an Eng- 

 lishman, and by the late Cheistopueh Dunn, of 

 Albany. In 1814, Mr, Dunn obtained a buck of 

 the same breed, which was captured by one of our 

 privateers from an English vessel on her way to 

 Canada. Since the war of 1812, many importa- 

 tions, by different individuals, have taken place in 

 all parts of the country. 



Among the early importers of South-Down sheep 

 were the late John H. Powell, of Philadelphia ; 

 Fbancis Rotoh, Otsego county, N. Y. ; Siday 

 Hawes, who emigrated to this country in 1832, 

 and settled on "Three Hills Farm," near Albany; 

 Messrs. Beentnal and Wait, Orange county, N. 

 Y. : and more recently, L. G. Moeris, Fordham. 

 N. Y. ; J. C. Taylor, New Jersey; and Samuki, 

 Thoene, Washington HoUow, Dutchess county, N. 

 Y., -who, with commendable liberality, without re- 

 gard to expense, has imported some of the choicest 

 specimens of this valuable breed that could be pro- 

 cured in England. 



The Downs imported by Mr. Hawes in 1832, 

 came in possession of the writer, witii the farm, in 

 1835, We bred from them several years, and found 

 them a valuable breed. Their mutton is of the 

 choicest kind, and always commands the highest 

 price, although from the properties of the sheep it 

 can be produced at the least cost. By their activ- 

 ity and vigor, both of muscle and constitution, they 

 are fitted to encounter any difficulty, as well as to 

 endure the extremes of heat and cold. 



In Great Britain, the South-Downs stand at the 

 head of the short-wooled sheep. They were once 

 confined to a small district in Sussex, but for the 



