68 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



as well as the cattle were perfectly wild, and so uuconscious of the care 

 of man as to fly at his approach. They were taken twice a year, spring 

 and fall, by certain stratagems, and sheared at each time, after which 

 they were again turned loose. The wool compared very favorably with 

 that of the Merino and many fabrics manufactured from the latter at 

 a great price could be made from the former for much less. It was as 

 white as snow, and perfectly silky and soft to the touch, and of deli- 

 cate grain. Their flesh was very highly flavored and popular; whether 

 this would continue if the animals were domesticated was doubted,, 

 since the flavor was thought to be due both to habits and food. The 

 bone was remarkably small and they weighed well and fattened sooner 

 than sheep of other kind. 



At one time Mr. Custis proposed founding a breeding station on 

 Smith Island for the improvement and dissemination of these sheep, 

 and issued an elaborate prospectus calling attention to their great value 

 in all parts of the country, particularly in the southern latitudes of 

 Virginia, the States of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and all south- 

 ward thereof. Upon the sea islands of G-eorgia and the Carolinas it 

 was thought they might be pastured to great advantage, and very many 

 situations then lying idle and unprofitable could be turned to use by 

 the introduction of this valuable race of animals. They were so active 

 in pursuit of food that they could cover a great space of ground in a 

 very short, time, and would browse upon many plants ordinarily con- 

 verted to no use whatever. Finally, in situations similar to their native 

 island, they could be supported without any expense, and where the 

 climate was colder and the pasture less abundant they would be found 

 to subsist at least as well as any other species. But nothing came of 

 the proposition. Early in 1802 the number of sheep on the Island was 

 between 500 and 600, but depredations and other casualties very 

 much reduced these figures by 1805, and still more by 1808. They 

 rapidly decreased after that time, and the variety became extinct. The 

 Arlington long-wooled had a longer existence, and was perpetuated to 

 a much later day. A variety founded upon it now invites consideration, 



FRBDEEICK SHEEP. 



The Frederick sheep, so called from the county in Virginia where they 

 were bred to a great improvement, were a large and valuable variety, 

 bred by R. K. Meade. They were a cross of the Merino upon the 

 Arlington long-wooled sheep. In 1808 a number of the farmers of Fred- 

 erick County associated for the purpose of encouraging domestic manu- 

 factures and improving the breed of sheep. Before this little attention 

 had been paid to either of these objects. Some families had made coarse 

 clothing, and a few farmers had made some ''ilight efforts to improve their 

 flocks; but the most of them viewed their sheep as a stock of little value, 

 and ran to the stores for all their clothing. At the first annual meeting 

 on May 22, 1809, Richard K. Meade was the only member who had a 



