218 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



ill Vermont. He also deems it important to procure the differ 

 cnt liucks from different sections of the State. In this way he 

 has greatly improved his flock and nearly doubled the amount 

 of wool from each sheep. 



The long-wooUed sheep next claim attention. That kind of 

 long wool wliich is strong enough for making delaines, com- 

 mands a price nearly e<|ual to good fmc-wools, but the almost 

 universal want of strength in sucli wool, prevents its being used 

 for this purpose, and hence this class of wool being unfit for 

 broadcloths, must necessarily go down into competition with 

 ground rags and whatever else may be used for the purpose, 

 and be worked into satinets. The long-wooUed breeds, Cots- 

 wolds, Leicesters, Oxfords, &g., have desirable qualities for the 

 shambles, however, but we are not convinced from the best 

 evidence we can obtain, that they are on the whole, as profitable 

 as some other kinds. Samuel Thorn, of Dutchess County, N. Y., 

 an extensive and intelligent importer of some of these breeds, 

 has, after a long trial, abandoned them — a fact of some conse- 

 quence to those who lack experience in these matters. 



Our third and last inquiry brings us to the consideration of 

 the middling-woolled sheep, as combining qualities suitable for 

 the shambles and for wool-raising. 



Samuel Thorn, whom we have already quoted as a man of 

 experience in these matters, gives his preference to the Webb 

 importation of South Downs, as being superior to all other 

 varieties, or breeds. His flock combine many good poiilts, in 

 some of which they excel all others. Their bodies are long, 

 legs short, wool close, firm and sufficiently fine to command 

 a fair price for cloths. 



H. F. French, in the " New England Farmer," says : " What 

 we want for sheep in New England is, the breed that, consider- 

 ing the climate and soil, will give us the greatest return in the 

 shortest time. Early maturity, weight and quality of meat 

 and of fleece, aptitude to fatten and fecundity, are the points 

 to be considered. In the fertile fields in the south and west of 

 England, the Leicesters, .in all but the last quality, seem to 

 combine a larger average of those good points than any other. 

 They are not so prolific as the South Downs. My own belief is 

 that they will not be found well adapted to the poor fare and 

 cold winters of New Endand. The South Downs are far more 



