NEW SOUTH WALES, OR AUSTRALIAN SHEEP. 99 



singular modification of the fleece, losing its hairiness, and 

 tolerable wool supplying its place. 



Soon after importations were made to a considerable ex- 

 tent of South Down and Leicester sheep, which, being 

 crossed with the Bengalee variety, was productive of much 

 improvement over the latter, not only in the quality of the 

 mutton, but a similar benefit to the fleece. 



At this period (1800) there were about six thousand sheep, 

 of all kinds, in the colony ; and comparing this insignificant 

 number with that of the present time, shows how remarkably 

 the animal is disposed, in temperate latitudes, to increase. 

 The number thirteen years afterwards was 65,000, in 1828 

 563,000.* The export of wool, of all kinds, in 1843, amount- 

 ed to 16,226,400 Ibs.f 



The colonists, from the kind nature of the climate, were 

 induced to experiment with the Merino. Accordingly a few 

 were sent over from England, and it was observed that the 

 fifth and sixth cross produced a quality of wool little inferior 

 to the pure Merinos of Spain. This is stated by Mr. You- 

 att, on the authority of Mr. Collins, and must be received 

 with some doubt, considering the decided inferiority of the 

 sheep previously in the colony. 



The success of the Merinos paved the way for still great- 

 er improvement, by the introduction of the Saxons, which 

 have since stamped the high character and value of Austra- 

 lian wools. The original importation was made by Captain 

 McArthur, then in government employ, and distinguished as 

 an enterprising and zealous agriculturist. Mr. Youatt says, 

 " It would not perhaps be truly said, that the quality of the 

 Saxon fleece was improved by the change of climate — per- 

 haps it was somewhat deteriorated — but it soon became evi- 

 dent that its properties were superior to any that the colony 

 had hitherto possessed." 



The present prominent characteristics of Australian wool, 

 of the improved breeds, are, great length of staple, softness 

 in an unusual degree compared with other wools of the same 

 fineness, and "working kindly" in every manufacture in 

 which it is employed. But the climate unquestionably, al- 

 though comparatively so temperate, together with imperfect 

 management, have wrought deteriorating effects, compared 

 with the wool of the original Saxon stock on its first introduc- 



* Wentworth's New South Wales. t Spooner. 



