84 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



not only far more abundant, but incomparably more valuable than tliose 

 of the best common sheep. 



Ex-President Jefferson had a Tunis ram and ewe brought direct on a 

 Government vessel, and his experience was similar to that of others 

 who failed to perpetuate the pure blood. He describes them as of low 

 stature, round bodies, full fleeces, of good quality, hardy, thrifty, 

 always fat, and of high-flavored flesh. But the ewe would never breed, 

 her massive tail never admitting the commerce of the ram. He bred 

 from the ram, in-and-in, for more than ten years with a different race, 

 and found that when a ewe got to be about seven-eighths pure blood 

 the same obstacle became so enlarged as to prevent further procreation. 

 He continued this breed for the use of the table, and because the wool 

 was as good as that of the ordinary sheep. 



It may here be stated that at the time Jeft'erson possessed the Tunis 

 sheep he had also had under his observation the broad-tailed sheep 

 from the Cape of Good Hope, with broad tails turned up like that of a 

 nicked horse, long legs, light bodies, and slight fleeces; and those from 

 Algiers, of somewhat less stature and better form and size. 



In August, 1822, Hon. Dudley L. Pickman, of Salem, presented a 

 ram lamb of the loug-wooled, broad-tailed sheep of Africa to the Massa- 

 chusetts Agricultural Society, but we have no further record of it. 



In September, 1825, 13 broad-tailed or Tunisian sheep were landed 

 at ISTew York. They were procured from the interior of Africa by 

 Capt. Creighton, of the U. S. S. Gyane, at considerable expense and 

 with no small trouble, and sent out for the purpose of introducing hero 

 a species said to be highly valuable, not only for the wool but the flesh. 

 The tail was described as having a very singular appearance, being in 

 some instances from 8 to 10 inches in breadth, forming when cooked a 

 most delicate and delicious food. A pair of these was sent to Gen. Van 

 liensselaer, of Albany. 



In 1835, at Brookland Wood farm, 9 miles from Baltimore, there was 

 a small flock, a cross between the Leicester sheep and a Barbary ram, 

 imported by Commodore Eodgers, from which Mr. Caton bred. The 

 old ram was dead, but his brown-legged and brown-faced sons and 

 daughters remained; "they are hardy and thrifty animals, bear a 

 fruitful fleece, and yield for the shambles a carcass at once sweet, juicy, 

 and savory."* 



The Tunis sheep, and other varieties of the African broad- tailed, have 

 from time to time been imported into America, but owing to diflQculties 

 elsewhere stated have made but little permanent impression upon our 

 flocks. About the beginning of the year 1841 the Boston Society of 

 Natural History received from D. S. McOauley, United States consul 

 at Tripoli, two rare varieties of African sheep. Three of these animals 

 a ram, a ewe, and a lamb, were covered with a close, thick wool, and 

 were fine specimens of the four-horned variety from Benzari, in the 



* Farmer and Gardener, Baltimore, September 29, 1835, 



