416 APPENDIX. 



them, two or three hours before commencing to wash, so as to let 

 the wool become thurjughly soaked ; it will then wii.sh easily, and 

 all the ink will come out, leaving the wool perfectly white ; those, 

 however, who wish to make the manufacturer pay for dirt, will 

 not adopt this course. 



There is one of your inquiries which I have omitted to refer to, 

 viz., the effect of climate and herbage upon the quality of the 

 wool. Upon this subject there can be but little doubt — a north- 

 em climate is far preferable for fine wool, and I am of opinion 

 from my present experience that very fine wool cannot be raised 

 in the South. In all cases that I have known it tried, the wool 

 has deteriorated, and the health of the sheep failed. 3Iuch also, 

 in my opinion, depends on the soil ; high poor lands will ])roduce 

 better wool than rich low lands. I sent a flock a few years since 

 to Warren county, Illinois, of about our latitude, and after three 

 years' experience, I scarcely knew my own wool ; the quantity 

 of wool and size of the sheep have increased, but the wool has 

 not retained its fineness. This no doubt arises from the pastur- 

 age ; the sheep become very fat in the summer, which increases 

 the harshness of the wool, and destroys that delicate texture it 

 has in the more eastern and high lands. The business of wool- 

 growing must ultimately settle down in the hilly and mountamous 

 countries where lands are cheap, and climate adapted to the na- 

 ture of sheep. Lands in this section are worth on an average from 

 20 to 25 dollars per acre, and at present the growing of wool is 

 considered better than the raising of grain ; this, however, will 

 not continue long, as the prices of grain must advance, and wool 

 dechne. 



But I must close this communication, having extended it be- 

 yond your in(|uiries ; but it being a subject of much interest to 

 me, and one of importance to the country, I could wish our peo- 

 ple to know more on the subject. My ardent wishes are for the 

 success of your undertaking. 



LETTER FROM LE0>'ARD D. CLIFT. OF CARMEL, PUTNAM COUNTY, 

 NEW YORK. 



Dear Sir, — Your favor of was duly received, but I have 



not found time before this, to bestow that care in my answer, 

 which its importance demands. And even now, I know not whe- 

 ther I shall be able to do the subject on which you request me to 

 write, viz., " my experience in the cultivation of the long-wool- 

 ed sheep," that justice, which will give satisfaction, and prove 

 worthy of a place in your contemplated treatise on American 

 sheep husbandry. I very much appreciate, sir, your motive, 

 and the object you have in view. It is high time that we have 

 eomething American on this, as well as many other subjects thaf 



