526 History of the Author's Merino-Ryeland Breed of Sheep. 



the same fleece, and even in different parts of the same filament. This difference 

 would unfit such wool for mixed cloths, and much more for those of uniform 

 colours. Besides, such is the present versatility of European taste, that no one 

 could ascertain a demand for cloth of any single and uncommon colour even for a 

 year. There is still another, and a fatal objection, if, as I am informed by clothiers, 

 such wools are more apt to fade, than those which are dyed. They certainly suffer 

 this change when exposed to the weather on the sheeps' back ; the outside of a 

 fleece, which next the skin is black, being always of a brown or russet colour at 

 shearing time. For these reasons, I fear that M. Pictet's success will not equal the 

 classical merit of the attempt. 



Thus have I faithfully related every thing important, which, either from my 

 own observation, or good authority, I know on the subject of the pure Merino and 

 Merino-Ryeland breeds of sheep. The reader will have observed that I have, on 

 many occasions, by the nature of the task which I have undertaken, been obliged 

 to make comparisons between my breed and those of others ; and if, in such com- 

 parisons, I have stated the results as in some respects favourable to that which I 

 happen to possess, I solemnly declare that, in so doing, I have been actuated by 

 no motives of personal interest, but solely by the love of what has appeared to 

 me to be the truth. 



The fact on which I have enlarged above, of the disposition in the Merino- 

 Ryeland breed to assume the paternal fleece, and retain the maternal shape, has 

 naturally led me to the conclusion, that this principle might be advantageously ap- 

 plied to the union of the finest-woolled rams with coarser ewes, pre-eminent as to 

 form. With this view, I am now trying my rams with ewes of the Leicester- 

 Ryeland, and Leicester- South Down crosses. The experiment, however, is begun 

 somewhat late ; and, at my age, I can hardly flatter myself that I shall live to see 

 the result. 



In the mean time, it is our duty to make even our pleasures subservient to the 

 general good, and cheerfully to leave events to Him, who alone knows how to 

 direct them. 



April j^,iZo6. 



