THE MERINO BREED. 147 



In the year 1804, when the sale took place from His Ma- 

 jesty's stock, many purchasers, the advocates of the Merino 

 Breed, came forward, and the Sheep were sold at high, 

 though not at exorbitant, prices ; the average price of the 

 rams being L.19, 14s. a-head, and that of the ewes L.8 : 15 : 6. 

 In the following autumn, a similar sale took place at advanc- 

 ing prices. Seventeen rams and twenty-one ewes were sold 

 for L.1148, 14s., being at the average rate of L.30 : 4 : 6. 

 At succeeding sales, these rates were maintained or increased. 

 In 1810, thirty-three rams brought L.1920, 9s., or L.38 : 9 : 11 

 a-head, and seventy ewes, at the average rate of about 

 L.37, 10s. 



In the year 1811, a society was established under the pre- 

 sidency of the distinguished and indefatigable Sir Joseph 

 Banks, with the express design of promoting and encourag- 

 ing the cultivation of the Merino breed. Fifty-four vice- 

 presidents were named, and local committees established in 

 almost every district, or county, of England. This Society, 

 the most influential, from its numbers and the agricultural 

 skill of its members, that had yet been established in Britain, 

 pursued their task with spirit and zeal. Amongst other means 

 adopted for promoting the purposes of this institution, was 

 the offering of premiums for pure Merinos, or for the crosses 

 with the native Sheep. Every thing favoured the purposes 

 of this patriotic band, and in an especial degree the unex- 

 ampled prosperity of the landed interests of the country, and 

 the enormous prices of the finest class of wools, produced^by 

 the events of the war. 



Public opinion, however, and the practical judgment of 

 farmers, had, even before this period, been reducing the pre- 

 tensions of the Merino breed, and the mixed progeny, to the 

 proper standard, as the subjects of economical culture. It 

 was found, that however promising were the crosses at first, 

 the progeny invariably fell short of the expectations formed. 

 They were small in size, less hardy than the British parents, 

 and generally of inferior form. So perfectly have time and 

 experience confirmed these results, that there scarcely exists, 



