EAST OP THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 155 



acquainted witli a large number of tliem. His Icnowlediic of Spaiiisli 

 tlocks came from tliis class, wlio supplied him wiMi iaformatiou obtained 

 from their head shepherds. 



The importance of meliorating the breed of sliei-p in our country, 

 particularly in the article of wool, had been early and deeply impressed 

 upon his mind. In addition to the gradual process of improvement by 

 bestowing more care and attention on the native flocks, in feeding them 

 well and crossing the blood, obviously suggested by reason and expe- 

 rience, two modes occurred for hastening and insuring the attainment 

 of that interesting object. Tlie first, to introduce and propagate an 

 entirely new race, if a more perfect one could be obtained; the second, 

 to meliorate our stock by producing a mixed progeny from our ordi- 

 nary ewes by rams of a better breed. 



But before there could be sufficiently good reason for justifying the 

 trouble and expense of transporting an adequate number, it was the 

 part of wisdom to ascertain first whether the breed be superior in 

 intrinsic value to those which already existed. And in that case, 

 secondly, whether the race contemplated to be introduced was likely, 

 when propagated, to retain all those qualities which constitute the 

 original superiority of value? He founded his opinion in the affirma- 

 tive of both questions, as applied to the Spanish Merino, by statements 

 from respectable persons and from the examination and study of offi- 

 cial reports. He knew from the statements of manufacturers and 

 others that none of the superfine cloths made in England, France, and 

 Holland could be fabricated without the mixture of a certain portion 

 of Spanish wool, and that the price of the Merino wool was twice as 

 high per pound as it was for ordinary kinds. He Avas given to under- 

 stand that the Merinos were more easily maintained and fattened than 

 the taller and larger breeds, and as to the flesh, he had frequent oppor- 

 tunities to decide for himself that it was not less succulent or well 

 flavored than the best English or American mutton. 



As to the second point, whether they would retain all their superior 

 qualities when transported to America, the presumption was favorable, 

 for official reports and many years of success had shown that in Great 

 Britain, France, Holland, Switzerland, Germanj', Denmark, and Sweden 

 the fleeces of the descendants of the Merino taken from Spain had not 

 diminished in fineness, and, in some places had increased in quantity. 

 In all these countries they had supported well the cold and other vari- 

 ations of temperature, and the changed seasons and herbage. It was 

 to him an ascertained fact, confirmed by experience beyond contradic- 

 tion, that the quality of the wool did not depend on the quality of the 

 pastures in Spain, because the same pastures had maintained, from 

 time to time immemorial, two different breeds, wliich had never assimi- 

 lated; one remarkable for the shortness and fineness, the other ior the 

 length and coarseness, of the wool. It was, moreover, ecinally well 

 proved, that the quality did not depend on the journeys \\hich the 



