238 On Tunis Sheep. 



I have taken the liberty, with a worthy and intelligent 

 correspondent John Gibbes Esq. of Charleston^ who is 

 among the most respectable planters in South Carolina^ 

 to extract from his letter to me, dated 18th June last, — 

 the following paragraphs. I had sent from my little farm 

 flock, and purchased irom others, for my Carolina friends, 

 within the two or three years last past, a number of fine 

 Tunis sheep, of various grades of blood, from fifteen 

 sixteenths, to half blood. They had notice of my opinions and 

 experience, as to colour of fleece ; either from myself di- 

 rectly, or through John Vaughan Esq. who transacted the 

 business for them. But to indulge habits, in them, of predi- 

 lection for white wool, I was obliged to select some sheep, 

 not perfectly agreeable to my own judgment. 



R. R 



yuhj7th,1^10. 



'' I am so much pleased with these sheep, that I have again 

 ^' written to Mr. Vaughan to send me four ewes and three 

 *•• ram lambs, if they can be obtained of the three quarter- 

 "■ blood ; and choice short legged sheep ; and have requested 

 " him to procure one of the ram lambs, or a ram, of the best 

 *' blood possible. These sheep are much spoken of in Carolina^ 



tlioug-h many not 'till seven : few remain full mouthed at eight years old. 

 I never saw one of the common sheep entirely free from some blemish ;. 

 but have known the greatest number, at that age, destitute of several 

 teeth ; and witli mouths in very bad condition ; though they will feed 

 tolerably. It is rai'e for them to breed after seven or eight : though there 

 are instances of it, at nine or ten. It is very uncommon for sheep to have 

 strong and healthy lambs after eight years of age ; this being what may 

 be called the age of a sheep ; as it respects health, vigour and usefulness. 

 The Tunis sheep is the only exception known to me. Mr. Bones's certifi-^ 

 cate will apply to all the breed. As to diseases of sheep, the catalogue 

 would be very small, if all flocks consisted of this race. 



R. P. 



