RURAL LIFE IN LITCHFIELD COUNTY 



follows that the choice, fine-wooled sheep became im- 

 mensely popular." 



To Colonel David Humphreys, of New Haven, is 

 due the credit of bringing to Connecticut the first 

 Merino sheep, the introduction of which did so much 

 for the wool industry of the State. So great a benefit 

 was this considered that the fact is recorded upon his 

 tombstone in an eloquent Latin epitaph, which states 

 that he was a man of great learning, member of various 

 distinguished societies, a friend of Washington and 

 ambassador to the courts of Portugal and Spain. The 

 Latin runs : "Iberia reversus natale solum vellere vere 

 aureo ditavit" ; translated, "On his return from Spain 

 he enriched his native land with the true golden fleece." 



The Merino, an especially fine-wooled sheep, is 

 thought to have come from Asia Minor, following the 

 line of civilization along the shores of the Mediter- 

 ranean into Spain. For years the breed was cherished 

 in Spain as one of its choicest treasures, and as long as 

 Spain retained her power as a nation the exportation of 

 the sheep was forbidden. A few were smuggled out of 

 the borders, and some were given as kingly favors to va- 

 rious countries. A detailed account of the importation 

 of the Merinos into this country, however interesting it 

 might be, would be too long for these pages. Suffice it 

 to say that the introduction of this breed into the farm- 

 ing regions of northwestern Connecticut stimulated, 



