130 BRITISH BREEDS. 



ing fine wool, on account of its high price, would slip through 

 the fingers of the agriculturist. If we could grow more of 

 both kinds, well and good ; but in present circumstances, a 

 profit by foreign wool is as good as a profit by fine wool, and 

 we can only have one ; and it is the part of wisdom to take 

 that which is easiest got." 



The above are the substantial reasons for the downfall of 

 the Merinos in Great Britain, and not altogether, as many 

 have supposed, from the humidity of the climate. Long after 

 their introduction, the wool of the Merinos was carefully 

 compared with the best samples of pure Spanish, and no 

 deterioration was perceptible. A dry climate is best suited 

 to the Merino, but many years would elapse before a humid 

 one, without other causes, would produce any essential 

 change in the properties of its fleece. High feeding is al- 

 together a more potent cause of deterioration. 



The Table will indicate to the reader the comparative va- 

 lue of the wools imported into Great Britain. The prices 

 were current in 1834, in London. 



$ cts. 



Spanish Merino, per lb. . . . 60 



Portugal ditto 44 



Lamb's wool ditto .... 36 



German, Saxon, and Silesian : — 



1st and 2d' Electoral . . . . 1 05 



Prima 88 



Secunda 66 



Tertia 48 



Austrian, Bohemian, and Hungarian : — 



1st Electoral 88 



Prima 77 



Secunda 55 



Tertia 44 



Australian: — 



Best fleeces 77 



Seconds 61 



Inferior flocks 50 



Van Dieman's Land: — 



Superior fleeces 55 



Middling 42 



Inferior ....... 22 



British Fleeces : — 



North and South Down ... 44 



Leicester fleeces .... 33 



Romney Marsh, Lincoln, and Cotswold 40 



Anglo Merino in yolk ... 22 



