132 [Assembly 



proveraent made by the art of good breeding. Importation has been 

 necessary ; but I long to see the day when we shall improve so as to 

 be able to compete and supercede the imported. We wf nt nothing 

 but suitable encouragement to accomplish this object. If agricultu- 

 ral societies would do more for breeders, and less for speculations, 

 the object would be much sooner accomplished. 



It is very common for breeders of fine stock to commence feeding 

 their young stock high, and if continued it will make them grow 

 coarse, heavy horned, thick headed, and they will never have that ac- 

 tivity and vigor of constitution so essential for good working cattle. 

 Manj' of our male animals are injured by high feeding when young. 

 In my opinion, the practice of letting calves run with the cows and 

 have a full supply of milk, is very injurious. 



I never saw a pair of steers raised in that way which ever made 

 good working oxen. Neither did I ever see a boy indulged in idle- 

 ness with plenty of money, who ever made a man of business. 



J. N. BLAKESLEE. 



PURE BLOOD SPANISH MERINO SHEEP. 



BY J. N. BLAKESLEE. 



I noticed in the circular of the American Institute, that premiums 

 are offered for pure blood Spanish Merino sheep, and also for twenty- 

 five fleeces or the finest and best wool for clothing. From your re- 

 marks, I take it for granted that you expect the wool to be taken from 

 pure bloods, and that of course you will demand the pedigrees and 

 certificates of proof in both cases. 



As I am almost the only one who has preserved the pure Spanish 

 race of sheep formerly imported, in the same purity of blood, dowii 

 to the present day, I feel it a duty to step forward in competition with 

 any other breeder of sheep of whatever kind. 



I had my flock from Captain Gad Peck, of New Haven, Connecti- 

 cut, in 1815. He had selected them in Spain, of the purest blood 

 and they were pronounced so by Col. Humphrey on their arrival here. 



