432 Dr. Parry's Essay on the Nature, Produce, Origin, &c. 



fleece, or 35, ii:d. per lb. through all the sorts in the yolk ; the value being taken 

 from Spanish Refina at only 6s. 40?. per lb. 



Besides these larger flocks, there are, in this kingdom, many smaller ones of pure 

 Merinos, which I cannot particularize. 



It appears to me, however, that the principal mode in which the utility of the 

 Merino race has been extended in England, has been by crossing our native breeds 

 with Merino rams. 



In this important design great progress has been made by many farmers and 

 manufacturers of cloth ; among the latter of whom I am acquainted with two, who 

 purpose increasing their flocks to several thousands each. 



I believe that the cross of the Merino ram with Ryeland ewes is that most culti- 

 vated in England. Mr. Birkbeck, of Wanborough, in Surrey, is zealously employed 

 in crossing five or six hundred ewes of the South Down race, chiefly with Merino- 

 Ryeland rams of my flock., Mr. Bariley, late Secretary of the Bath Agricultural 

 Societv, and the Rev. Mr. Richardson and Mr. Heaven, both in the neighbour-, 

 hood of Baih, have also cultivated with great success a cross between the Merino 

 and the Wilts breeds, which was first established by Mr. Whitaker of that city, and 

 is conspicuous for the weight and fineness of its fleeces. 



The noblemen and gentlemen of Ireland have of late attempted to introduce 

 into that country the breed of fine-wooUed sheep. With this view, in 1804, they 

 offered the following premiums for sheep, to be exhibited at the great cattle fair 

 at Ballinasloe. 



€■ 



1. For the best ram's fleece grown in Ireland, — — — 20 



2. For the best Merino ram, two or more years old, — — 20 



3. For the best ditto, one year old, — — 20 



4. For the best five Merino ewes, — — — — 20 



5. For the best Merino rani's fleece, grown in Ireland, — — 10 



6. For imported Merino ewes, as far as 100 in number; each ewe, — 1 



For the last five premiums there was that year no claimant. The first was ob- 

 tained bv the Earl of Farnham, for a Merino Ryeland fleece. 



