38 



brambles and other wild plants, which are followed bj grasses, 

 white clover, &c. 3. Mutton can be produced at less cost than 

 any other meat, although when of proper quality, it commands a 

 higher price in our markets. 



" An English or Scotch farmer, on coming to this part of the 

 country, expresses his surprise that more sheep are not kept, and 

 that mutton is not more seen on our tables. We eat much great- 

 er quantities of pork than the people of Britain, but much less 

 mutton. Singular as it may seem, too, good mutton is dearer in 

 our markets tlian that of the same quality is in England. There 

 is no obstacle to the production of it in greater quantity, and it is 

 the opinion of many who have devoted their attention to the sub- 

 ject, that the substitution of mutton for pork, to a considerable 

 extent, would be favorable to health. 



" The breeds of sheep best adapted to this section, are those 

 which afford mutton at the least expense. The demand for mut- 

 ton is increasing, and the nearer the market it can be produced, 

 the greater the saving in transportation. The cost of transport- 

 ing wool is comparatively trifling ; it can be brought fi'om the 

 most remote of our Western States for about a cent per pound, or 

 two per cent, on its value, if of fair quahty Merino. Hence those 

 breeds kept chiefly for wool, Avill occupy the cheap lands of the 

 interior, Avhile the best breeds for mutton will be kept nearer the 

 great markets. 



" The first sheep of New England were brought chiefly from 

 England by the early settlers, and were the foundation of the 

 stock bred here for two hundred years. It is impossible to say 

 to what breeds they originally belonged. Their descendants had 

 long ago lost all evidence of any afiinity with any British breed. 

 They afforded mutton of medium quality, and wool which answer- 

 ed for the ordinary domestic purposes of the country people, be- 

 fore the modern refinement of taste in dress was introduced. The 

 importation and establishment of the Spanish or Merino breed 

 caused the disappearance of the old English stock, and it is very 

 difficult to find any of them which have not been crossed. But the 

 Merino is now giving way, in turn, to British breeds, in all the 

 eastern portion of the country. This change is caused chiefly by 

 the increasing demand for mutton, — the Merino not being a good 

 mutton sheep. It does not give the thickness and weight of flesh, 

 in proportion to the bone, that is afforded by several of the Eng- 

 lish and Scotch breeds. When fatted, the amount of fat, espe- 

 cially the internal fat, is too large in proportion to the lean, and 

 there is little mixture of the two ; Avhile the flavor of the meat is 

 not as good as that of most British breeds. 



" The general division of English sheep is into long and short 

 wooUlmI breeds. Of the former, the principal are the Leicester, 

 (^formerly New Leicester, Bakcwell, Dishley,) the Cotswold, Lin- 



