80 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



provement of our native or common sheep, and for tlie purpose of calling 

 public attention to the Tunis mountain sheep, without interfering with 

 the views of those who preferred others. Judge Peters, on May 8, 1810, 

 read before the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture a paper 

 setting forth the specific distinction of these sheep as compared with 

 the broad-tailed African sheep in general, which were much inferior. 

 Some of the latter had at various times between 1800 and 1810 come 

 into the country; but all, as far as can be learned (except some Persian 

 sheep), were of an unprofitable race. Judge Peter s's experience and 

 observation as to the Tunis mountain sheep were founded on a knowl- 

 edge of them for a period of thirteen years. The benefits arising from 

 their propagation had accrued in the greatest degree to others, for the 

 advantages — except in the real pleasure and solid satisfaction derived 

 from even partial success — ^had been small indeed. He claimed no 

 merit over others, but considered a reasonable emolument the just 

 reward for all those who risk or labor in laudable pursuits. He did not 

 aim at establishing this breed of sheep on the depreciation of other 

 good breeds, being only desirous that it should take its proper rank 

 among them, not hesitating to avow his opinion that the Tunis sheep 

 would in the long run compete with any in fleece and carcass together, 

 from the same ground in equal times. The increased price of better 

 wool in 1810, with all that was said of its presumed stability, did not 

 shake his opinion. Plenty or scarcity of an article, and shifting demand 

 for it, operated on prices. 



As to the fleeces of the Tunis sheep, the fact was maintained that 

 no better homemade cloth could be shown than that made from selected 

 parts of it, and especially that afforded by the cut next the pelt. It 

 was better than any obtained from the common sheep. Some of the 

 fleeces would have three cuts, of about IJ to 2 inches long each. Many 

 of them were of this description, and more were short and fine, of 

 which gloves and stockings were made equal to fleecy hosiery. Its 

 advocates claimed that no wool produced superior fabrics for common 

 use, for which the cut next the pelt was used. Some fleeces were furry 

 next the pelt, like beaver, but consisting of very flne-flbered wool. 



The mutton of the Tunis mountain sheep was the finest and best in 

 the Philadelphia market, and the proportion of flesh to size of the ani- 

 mal was remarkably great. There was but little offal, the pure-bred 

 sheep being hornless and its bones small. It laid its fat on profitable 

 points, not only on the tail but generally distributed through the whole 

 carcass. It did not show the suet on the kidneys as much as did some 

 other sheep, but the fat was well mixed with the flesh, which was of 

 the most inviting color, and marbled in a striking degree. The tal- 

 low hardened again after melting. Its tail, which at times weighed, 

 prepared for cooking, from 6 to 8 pounds, when properly dressed was 

 a feast for an epicure and rivalled only by the tail of a young beaver 

 wlien free from the fishy or sedgy taint to which it is subject at cei;- 



