200 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



have been crosses with either the natives or Merinos. Our 

 experience witli the Leicester has been limited, but our obser- 

 vation has shown us that they are hardy, and their lambs easily 

 reared, and when mature yield a large fleece of light, open 

 wool, of longer staple than the Cotswold. The latter breeds 

 have more carcase than either the Merino or Southdown. 



We have thus sketched briefly the four leading breeds of 

 sheep found in our county, and will now offer a few suggestions 

 in relation to wool. 



For years back, up to the time of the war of the rebellion, 

 fine wool was the wool in the market. During the war the 

 demand for coarse army goods called for a coarse grade of wool 

 of long staple, and from all the lots coming into the hands of 

 dealers the fleeces possessing these qualities were carefully 

 selected, and a high price obtained for them. At the same 

 time, the demand for the finest grades was good, but the de- 

 mand for the medium grades was not so good. The two 

 extremes, the long coarse, and the fine, commanded the high- 

 est prices. Since the close of the war a demand for another 

 grade of wool has gained the attention of dealers. 



For many years the manufacture of worsted goods was princi- 

 pally carried on in Europe, and no attempt was made in this 

 country, or only to a limited extent, to produce goods of this 

 kind. Recently factories for the manufacture of worsted goods 

 have sprung up in different parts of the country, creating a 

 demand for combing wools, and at the present time these are 

 the wools which command the highest prices. The chief char- 

 acteristics of these wools are a long, moderately fine staple, of 

 strong fibre. To the production of these wools would we call 

 the attention of our farmers, as answering the question first 

 proposed, viz. : From what breed of sheep can we get the most 

 wool, and at the greatest profit on the money and labor ex- 

 pended ? With the breeds of sheep we have already named, 

 with our climate and soil, we have the elements necessary to 

 raising the most valuable grade of wool. We suggest that our 

 farmers cross the Merino and Leicester, or the Merino and 

 Cotswold, and by the admixture of these breeds get the open, 

 long, coarse staple of the one, thickened and made finer by the 

 fine, close staple of the other, and thereby produce the true 

 combing wool. And let our farmers be agreed upon this one 



