358 SHEEP INDU&TEY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Dr. Seth Caprou, who was associated with Thomas E. Gold, Ifewton 

 Mann, Thaddeus B. Wakeman, Col. Jenkins, and others. These gen- 

 tlemen had a capital stock of $40,000 invested with the object of im- 

 porting and breeding the Spanish Merino sheep for supplying the 

 woolen mills which were being constructed at that time in that section 

 of the State. Besides sheep purchased of Livingston and some from 

 Humphreys, others were purchased from the several importations made 

 into Connecticut and Ehode Island in 1810-'ll. Upwards of 1,000 

 choice native ewes were secured and the thoroughbred rams crossed 

 upon them. The sheep were bred and cared for upon farms belonging 

 to Dr. Capron in Deerlield, Oneida County, directly across the Mohawk 

 Eiver from Oriskany, and after the most approved methods. They 

 were separated into flocks of 100 each. Good winter shelter was pro- 

 vided for them and every convenience for feeding, while the arrange- 

 ments for care of ewes and youug lambs in the spring were complete. 

 In summer the pastures were subdivided to allow frequent changes, 

 which was considered to be very important for the health of the stock. 

 The spring washing of the sheep before shearing took place in the 

 Mohawk Eiver, and at the shearing every rega,rd was had to exactness 

 of detail. The fleeces were graded according to fineness; the qualities 

 being graded at full-blood, seven-eighths, three-fourths, and half. 

 It was then rolled, tagged, and sent to the factory to be manufactured 

 into broadcloths, cassimeres, and satinets. The value of the wool was 

 from 9 to 10 shillings per pound. Satinets brought from $3.50 to $7, 

 and broadcloths from $10 to $15 per yard. These prices, of course, 

 made the Mount Merino Association and factory paying institutions, 

 and particularly so during the continuance of the embargo and war of 

 1812. But the establishment of peace and the opening of our ports to 

 the introduction of foreign woolens soon so materially reduced the de- 

 mand for domestic productions that the wool produced by the associa- 

 tion could find no market. As a natural result the manufactory dis- 

 continued its operations, and the sad sequel was the killing of some 

 2,000 costly sheep for their pelts, their fleeces not paying the cost of 

 keeping.* 



Gen. John C. Ellis introduced some of the early Merinos into Onon- 

 daga County, and their blood remained in that county as late as 1860. 

 Tompkins County received them at an early day, and in 1825 extensive 

 flocks were to be found in every township, but the Saxonies, soon after 

 introduced, completely annihilated them in the course of a few years. 

 In 1809 or 1810 Merino sheep were introduced into Niagara County, and 

 at Lewiston, 8 miles below the great falls, there was in 1811 a domestic 

 manufacture of their wool on a small scale. 



In 1811 Nicholas Williams, captain of a merchant vessel, on his re- 

 turn from Spain, brought with him six tall Negrettis, which he took to 



* Eegister of the New York State American Merino Slieep Breeders' Association 

 Vol. 1, 1883. ' 



