FINE WOOL SHEEP HUSBANDRY, 93 
French muslin de laines are made, as it has leneth of 
staple and fineness, with requisite strength, which is 
all important. 
“Three years ago a gentleman sent me, from Hstre- 
madura, a number of Spanish Merino fleeces as a sam- 
ple (as circumstances did not allow me to see his flock 
when in Spain). They were little wads of fleeces. I 
can send you one if you have any curiosity to see it.”* 
The remarkable fact is made to appear, from these 
statements of Mr. Taintor, that, at the period of his 
importations, there were flocks of 500 in France which 
produced 14 lbs. of wool to the ewe, and from 20 to 
24 Ibs. to the rams. If we are to suppose the belly 
and tag wool excluded from these also, then the ewes 
produce nearly 9 Ibs. 6 oz., and the rams about 14 lbs. 
11 oz. of brook-washed wool. If, as I conjecture, 
grown sheep are only referred to here, the weight of 
the ewes probably averaged not far from 150 Ibs., and 
the rams at least 200 Ibs.t 
I have traced down the history of these sheep to 
the period of their comparatively recent emigration 
to the United States, although two or three importa- 
* One of these fleeces has been forwarded tome. It isin the dirt, 
and weighs five lbs. eleven oz. It is difficult to judge its exact qual- 
ity, as exposure to the air has converted much of 1t to the color of a 
sponge, and altered its appearance in other particulars. Itis about 
as long as American Merino wool—is not very even in quality, and I 
think I am not mistaken in saying that in fineness it would be below 
mediocrity in any prime full blood American flock. Having been sent 
among specimens from Spain it ought to be up, at least, to the average 
quality and quantity of fleeces in that country. 
+I have seen flocks of Mr. Taintor’s imported sheep, and their im- 
mediate descendants, numbering thirty or forty each, and I judge this 
about the average weight of the full grown ewes when in good con- 
dition. They varied from 125 to 180 lbs.—an occasional one reaching 
200 ibs. 
