138 laavson's history 



that is very good, not only serving our own ne- 

 cessities, but we send out a great deal among our 

 neighbors. 



The sheep thrive very well at present, having 

 most commonly two lambs at one yeaning. As 

 the countrj^ comes to be open, they prove sill bet- 

 ter, change of pasture being agreeable to that 

 useful creature. Mutton is generally exceeding 

 fat and of a good relish ; their wool is very fine 

 and proves a good staple. 



The horses are well shaped and swift ; the best 

 of them would sell for ten or twelve pounds in 

 England. They prove excellent drudges and will 

 travel incredible journeys. They are troubled 

 with very few distempers, neither do the cloudy 

 faced grey horses go blind here as in Europe. 

 As for spavins, splints and ring bones, they are 

 here never met withal, as I can learn.. Were we 

 to have our stallions and choice of mares from 

 England, or any other of a good sort, and careful 

 to keep them on the highlands, we could not fail 

 of a good breed ; but having been supplied with 

 our first horses from the neighboring plantations, 

 which were but mean, they do not as yet come up 

 to the excellency of the English horses ; though v/e 

 generally find that the colt exceeds in beauty and 

 strength, its sire and dam. 



The pork exceeds any in Europe ; the great di- 

 versity and goodness of the acorns and nuts which 

 the woods afford, making that flesh of an excel- 

 lent taste and produces great quantities ; so that 



