EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI EIVEB. 319 



them and was enabled to furnisli pure-bloods for many buyers, among 

 whom were Prosper Blitharp, L. 0. Eemele, Myron W. C. Wright, Al- 

 fred Hull, Jesse Hines, and others, these purchases being made between 

 1830 and 1840. These men pursued the even tenor of their way, im- 

 proved the sheep with such light as they had before them, amid the 

 discouragement of low prices for wool and a want of appreciation among 

 wool-growers for the class of sheep they were breeding. 



Prior to 1836 the Spanish Merinos were known by that name, or as 

 "old-fashioned Merinos" to distinguish them from the Saxons. On 

 January 8, 1836, a correspondent of the Cultivator suggested the name 

 American Merino. At this time the change in the sheep had been so 

 great that an animal bearing all the characters of the original was not 

 to be found. This correspondent said : 



Poryears ILave been a sheep-breeder, and the term " old-fasHoned Merinos" con- 

 veys to me a distinctive perception of an animal and a particular family of animals 

 whicli existed in tMs country soon after tteir general introduction from Spain. Thoy 

 are now rarely to be found. If another name is more desirable, let them be called 

 the American Merino, for in truth they were first bred in this country by crossing 

 the different flocks which were imported from Spain. I will instance a flock within 

 my knowledge. The person who commenced the flock was interested in the original 

 importation, and therefore had an opportunity to select individuals in reference to a 

 particular object. He did so, having in view a farmer's sheep that should give quan- 

 tity with as fair quality as could be obtained. The little choice' bore the marks and 

 brands of five different Spanish flocks. They were crossed as was judged best; but 

 their lambs were by no means uniform in their appearance or value, but in a course 

 of years, with the original object steadily in view, there came a race of sheep having 

 the general appearance of the Paular, the fineness of the Esourial, and the close- 

 wooled qualities of the other flocks. They had also the large size of the Nigretti. 

 The sheep from this little beginning were scattered far and near, with a high reputa- 

 tion. In 1826 the clip of that and the previous year was sold at 50 cents ; with that 

 exception it never sold so low. The same course was followed by others, and these 

 flocks are of the "old Merinos," and I like it, for it reminds me of the times when 

 our sheep gave 4 and 4^^ pounds of wool, whereas now they only give us 2 to 2^ 

 pounds. 



In 1 837 the number of sheep in Vermont was 1,166,234, giving 2,915,385 

 pounds of wool. Assuming that her 300,000 people used 9 pounds each, 

 this was a surplus over the wants of her population of 215,885 pounds. 

 Having no manufactures at home the greater part of the wool was sold 

 out of the State, and her woolen goods were bought iii New York, 

 Connecticut, and Massachusetts. In 1840 the number of sheep had 

 increased to 1,681,819, yielding 3,699,235 pounds of wool. The Saxon 

 Merino declined some from 1830 to 1840, though there were many flocks 

 still kept up, and it was with great reluctance that their defects were 

 acknowledged. In 1840 the Saxony averaged 2^ pounds of wool, the 

 Spanish Merino 3J, aiid the common sheep 3 pounds. From 1830 to 

 1840 Merino wool sold from 35 to 60 cents; average price, 52 cents. 



About the time the Saxon Merinos were most rapidly passing out of 

 the sheep husbandry of the State, 1840 to 1850, the French Merinos 

 were introduced, and, at first, received with some favor. Their large 



