134 SHEEP OF THE UNITED STATES AND SOUTH AMERICA. 



with the sheep, were the property of Mr. Custis, who stated 

 the breed to be pecuUar to that part of the country. 



The climate being temperate, and the soil producing a 

 succulent and varied herbage, all being so well suited to 

 sheep, the carcase and wool in process of time became 

 greatly improved ; and hence the deservedly high estimation 

 of the breed by Mr. Custis and others. The wool was very 

 white, and comparatively fine ; the staple from 8 to 10 inches 

 in length, and the fleeces averaged about 8 lbs. The de- 

 scendants of the flocks, though greatly degenerated, are dif- 

 fused over a wide section of country in Virginia, and further 

 south. 



From the foregoing brief description of the qualities of 

 the native sheep, it will readily be conceived that they were 

 susceptible of great improvement. Their amelioration com- 

 menced on the arrival of the Merinos introduced by Chan- 

 cellor Livingston and Gen. Humphrey, but until the embargo 

 of 1807, there was little stimulus to aid this laudable enter- 

 prise. After that event and during the war with Great Brit- 

 ain, which soon after followed, the nation was thrown upon 

 its industrial means for the supplies of the staple necessaries 

 of life ; and wool culture received such an impetus, and such 

 consequently was the competition for the possession of the 

 Merinos, that individuals of the breed sold for the enormous 

 prices of from 500 to 1400 dollars per head. Manufactures 

 had been commenced, and notwithstanding the little skill 

 employed in them at that early day, they prospered ; but on 

 the declaration of Peace in 1815, commerce brought to our 

 shores the cheaper fabrics of Europe, and the Merinos and 

 our infant manufactories were prostrated together. Remu- 

 nerating prices could no longer be obtained for wool of any 

 description, and this unfortunate state of things continued 

 without intermission for many years. Notwithstanding this, 

 however, the wool growers of the north were too sagacious 

 not to appreciate the Merino fleece, and to see in the vista of 

 the future a period when its culture would again be a source 

 of profit. Hence the Merinos spread gradually over all the 

 northern States ; and in all instances where the principles 

 of breeding were properly understood and practiced, their 

 fleeces suffered no deterioration. 



The policy of our National Government in 1824 being 

 more in unison with the agricultural interests of the country, 

 revived the spirit for extending the culture and improvement 



