436 APPENDIX. 



to produce a pound of wool or a pound of mutton, whether it be 

 given to a large or a small sheep. The rational and safe basis on 

 which a profit is to be calculated and derived, is upon the quan- 

 tity and cost of food and the greater value of wool and mutton 

 produced therefrom. Fine sheep, ever since their introduction into 

 New England, have been duly valued by some, and they are now 

 coming into more general favor — the demand and price steadily 

 increasing. 



The American who shall publish a work on Sheep Husbandry, 

 such as is needed and shall be api)roved, will do a greater service 

 to his country than all the furious politicians in it, and secure to 

 himself a name as durable as our granite, while theirs pass from 

 the world like shadows. I heartily wish you all the success due 

 to your laudable undertaking. 



LETTER FROM SAMUEL LAWRENCE, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS. 



Dear Sir, — ****** That the properties of wool 

 are affected by herbage and soil, I have not a doubt, and were it 

 not inx-idious, I would name some sections where wool-growers are 

 greatly favored by nature. One thing is certain, whatever may 

 be the character of the soil, where there are good shepherds there 

 is sure to be found good wool. By judicious selections and cross- 

 ing, I believe a breed may be reared which will give 4 lbs. of ex- 

 quisitely fine wool to the fleece. 



We can make a fine cloth from a long staple, if the felting prop- 

 erty is right. 



As a general remark, the wool of this country is badly put up, 

 the sheep are not properly washed, then they are allowed to run 

 too long after washing before being sheared ; and what is worse, 

 the " tags and stuff"" are rolled up inside the fleece, and tied with 

 tow yam. or heavy twine in enormous quantities. There are 

 honorable exceptions to this usage, and the names of the parties I 

 should like to show up as models for their inferiors to imitate. 

 Manufacturers are quite as much to blame in this business as 

 wool-growers ; they have seldom made sufficient difference in 

 prices between wool in good and bad condition. 



The woollen manufacture of this country is on a more perma- 

 nent base than at any former period of its history, as there are 

 engaged in it more men of character and property, and the 

 amount of skill employed is very great. Should anything be 

 done to injure the present excellent tariff", the wool-grower will re- 

 ceive the blow. Our works are in full operation as usual, and if 

 we have no accidents, shall work over a million of pounds this 

 year. We are preparing to extend our works by the addition of 



