KEW GARDENS GEORGE III 105 



The value of a good sheep of the new mixed breed 

 at length became extraordinary. The first ram sold at the 

 first sale of the King's flock, in 1804, fetched forty-two 

 guineas. The average price at the second sale was thirty- 

 eight pounds. Banks, writing to Mr. Dillwyn, tells of a 

 farmer whom he has just parted with who, getting a new 

 lease in Wiltshire, " meant to begin by buying a thirty- 

 eight pounder of the King's shepherd." In 1802 the prices 

 had been higher than this. Ewes were known to have 

 been sold at sixty-five guineas Banks, on one occasion, 

 conveys an offer from a friend to give Lord Sherborne one 

 hundred pounds apiece for four rams. 



In 1808, George III had a fine present made to him by 

 the Spanish Government, of a large flock of merino sheep. 

 They were 2214 in number, including about two hundred 

 intended for British Ministers and notables. These were 

 diminished in number by 427 that had died, either at sea, 

 or on the road between Portsmouth and Kew. 



The flock was entrusted to Sir Joseph Banks for dis- 

 persal according to the King's wishes. They were not 

 to be sold ; but, as he stated to Sir John Sinclair, " they 

 are to be distributed to persons most likely in my opinion 

 to increase and improve them, at the charge of their 

 importation and expenses." His short circular to the 

 public runs thus : 



" Merino Sheep. All persons who possess ewes of 

 pure merino race, and are desirous of increasing their 

 stock, are requested to apply to Sir Joseph Banks, 

 who has received the King's commands to distribute a 

 considerable flock, newly imported from Spain, among 

 such persons as are most likely to preserve them free from 

 all admixture, and to improve their form by judiciously 

 matching them in breeding : giving a due preference to 

 those who have manifested their approbation of this kind 

 of stock by having already provided themselves with 



