530 



SHEEP 



Prices of interest for Rambouillet sheep date back for over 

 half a century. In 1853 John D. Patterson of New York pur- 

 chased a ram in France for ^600 from the flock of M. Cugnot. 

 He also paid Victor Gilbert $400 each for 2 rams. In the late 

 fifties, when Mr. Patterson sold his sheep to California buyers, 

 it is reported that he received ^1500 each for 3 rams, ^1000 



Fig. 238. This Rambouillet ram was sold by J. H. Seely to C. N. Stillman of 

 Utah in the 1918 Salt Lake City ram sale for §6200, the high price for a sheep 

 of the breed. From photograph, by courtesy of the American Sheep Breeder 



for I, $800 apiece for 2, and for 18 others prices ranging 

 from ^300 to $700. Fourteen ewes also brought ^4500, or an 

 average of $321 per head. These probably represent the highest 

 prices brought by individuals of this breed, either in America or 

 Europe. A. L. Bingham of Vermont, between 1847 and 1853, 

 paid John A. Taintor ^37,500, or about ;^232 a head, for 161 

 French Merinos. Some very sensational prices have prevailed 

 in recent years, more especially in 19 17 and 191 8 at the annual 

 sheep sales in August at Salt Lake City. In 191 7 the ram 



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