No. 216.] 653 



ference to the high bred flocks of sheep of Continental Europe, 

 which he has examined, and samples of whose precious fleeces he 

 has presented to the American Institute. 



C. L. rieischman. In 1845, I was commissioned, Mr. President, 

 by the Patent Office of the United States, to visit Europe, and to 

 obtain knowledge of the actual condition of the wool raising there. 

 We had many erroneous ideas on that subject here. It was justly 

 deemed of great importance to us to know all about an article, 

 without which we must not pretend to vie with the old world in 

 the manufacture of fine woollen goods, which the increasing popula- 

 tion and wealth of our country imperiously demands. In my tour 

 on the continent of Europe, I discovered that the celebrated wool of 

 Saxony had decreased in value, their breeders of sheep had made 

 serious mistakes in this very delicate culture. That in Prussian Si- 

 lesia, more intelligence and care had been bestowed upon it, and in 

 consequence, a very superior quality of wool was obtained. Silesia 

 has now the Golden Fleece of Spain! After about forty years prac- 

 ticing, they have obtained a breed of sheep whose fleece is equally 

 fine on the neck, back and sides of the sheep; such fleeces are al- 

 ways preferred by manufacturers. 



The sheep in Silesia are never allowed to be exposed to much rain 

 — shelters are always provided for them, nor are they permitted to 

 be exposed to dust, for both these are causes of serious injury to the 

 fleece. The greatest possible care is taken in the breeding — men of 

 the greatest experience are employed to go from farm to farm, to 

 examine the sheep, and to select the best rams and ewes from every 

 flock. The lambs are also all carefully examined as to their fleece 

 bearing properties, and all but the very best sold off". The whole 

 economy of the sheep farm is as perfect as intelligence and perfect 

 industry can make it. The best food for the sheep at all times, is 

 provided. Each month has its peculiar food. In January, in the 

 morning, one pound of sain foin^ (sound hay) is allowed to each 

 sheep; water is given to them at 9 o'clock. At 10 o'clock, half a 

 pound of the hay of second quality, the same portion at two o'clock 

 P. M. Water at three o'clock P. M. and a pound of mixed hay in 

 the evening. Strict attention is paid to the temperature in the sta- 

 bles, which is maintained at about sixty degrees Fahrenheit. If the 

 warmth should be much above this, the lambs are apt to die. 



In February, rams and ewes are coupled, the rams being restrained 

 by a bandage, these couples are in separate stalls; they are fed each 



