On Tunis Sheep. 217 



The following additional account of these sheep, can 

 be verified, by myself, and others who have gained a 

 practical knowledge of them. 



1. The Tunis sheep are better set with rvool, than 

 any others generally known here. The Merino may 

 be an exception; but it remains for experiment, in a 

 common course of keeping sheep, by farmers here. 

 There is no part of its body uncovered. It does not 

 shed its wool like common sheep : so that I have never 

 seen a ragged Tunis sheep, where the blood of the stock 

 predominated. If the wool of the mixed breed is de- 

 ciduous ; it shews that the sheep partakes of the cross, 

 more than the stock. I have known one kept unshorn 

 for a year after the fleece might have been taken off; 

 and the fleece continued entire and thriving ; and the 

 sheep remained in high health. But I would not re- 

 commend this, as an eligible practice. For very fine 

 fabrics, the Merino wool can be used alone ; and such 

 are only within the purchase of the wealthy. It is most 

 generally mixed with fine wool of other fleeces ; and it 

 is in such case, worked to most profit. The Tunis wool 

 is sufficient for all common purposes ; and can be ap- 

 plied without mixture with other wool, to more uses 

 than that of the Merino, or any other sheep generally 

 known here. The average weight of fleeces is from five 

 to five and a half, and I have known some flocks to 

 average six pounds ; I speak of a selected flock, well fed, 

 and attended to with care. From individual sheep of 

 the full blood, I have shorn eight, nine, and ten pounds. 

 I mean, in this estimate, washed wool ; or from sheep 

 washed before shearing. I have generally (but not al- 

 ways) practised this ; and I have never found any difj- 



VOL. II, E G 



