588 



SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



culture. The estimate of tlie wool clip for 1890 and the amount of wool 

 per head are based upon data believed to be reliable. 



Of the sheep in 1890 it is estimated that 30 per cent were Merinos 

 and their grades; 60 per cent English breeds and their grades, and 10 

 per cent common coarse-wooled sheep that it would be difficult to 

 classify. Twenty-five per cent of the wool clip was graded above 

 medium, 45 per cent as medium, and 35 per cent below medium. Sheep 

 were exceptionally healthy; about 36,000 out of over 1,200,000 died of 

 disease, while over 57,000 were killed by dogs. The number of sheep 

 in the State in January, 1892, was less by 116,300 than in 1890, but the 

 loss in number was more than compensated for by improvement in 

 quality and advanced prices. 



In the early settlements of the Frencii on the Mississippi and at 

 Kaskaskia there were no sheep. The wolf and the panther forbade 

 their existence. The first material advance that agriculture experienced 

 in the Illinois Territory was in 1797, when 160 honest, industrious peo- 

 ple emigrated from Hardy County, Va., and settled near l^Tew Design, 

 Monroe County, in southern Illinois. They took with them sheep, the 

 wool of which they made into linseys for clothing, and they cultivated 

 fall wheat for market. From 1800 to 1808 many settlements were made 

 on the Ohio north to the Wabash and up the Mississippi to Kaskaskia, 

 and the settlers brought with them the cattle and sheep common to the 

 section of the country whence they came. 



It is believed that the first flock of Merinos taken into Illinois was 

 the small one of 6 sheep brought from England by George Flower and 

 taken to Albion, Edwards County, in 1817, described by their owner as 

 " 6 of the finest animals of the wool-bearing species ever brought to 

 this country." In 1842 Mr. Flower said these 6 sheep were the pro- 

 genitors of his flock, which had been on the same farm up to that time. 

 He added to this original flock 80 ewes formerly of the Steubenville 

 flock, and the flock was frequently cited as evidence that not only did 

 the Merino not deteriorate on a prairie farm, but that it improved, both 

 as to the quality of the wool and mutton. Part of the increase of this 

 flock was sold to farmers in southeastern Illinois and southern Indiana. 



A Mr. Faux, an English farmer, who visited Mr. Flower in 1819, 

 speaks of seeing 500 Merino sheep on his estate at this time, ranging 



