194 Publications of Interest to Agriculturists. 
of the world, we read that although Spain prohibited their exporta- 
tion, yet under the administration of Colbert some Merino rams 
were, for the first time, introduced into France in the Roussillon 
district, whither new importations were subsequently made. The 
chief dates of importation since then may best be translated from 
the author’s own words : — 
1723. Introduction of Merinos into Sweden. 
1763. First importation of Merinos into Germany. The Elector of 
Saxony obtained from the King of Spain 100 rams and 200 ewes. Estab- 
lishment of Shepherds’ Schools. Improvement of the breed by selection. 
1776. A flock of Spanish Merinos was introduced into France under 
Turgot. Entrusted to the care of Daubenton, they throve and increased 
under his intelligent direction. 
1782. Importation of Merinos into the Cape of Good Hope. 
Fig. 6.— Cow of the Flamande-Boulonnaise breed. (From a drawing of Rosa Bonhcur, 1S56.) 
1786. A new flock of 366 sheep arrived at the model farm of Ram- 
bouillet, established by Louis XVI. This bergerie, which became the 
national property in 1792, still exists. 
1788. Introduction of Merinos into England. They excited but little 
interest till 1804, at which period commenced the Royal sales. 
1793. Introduction of a Spanish flock into Piedmont, under the 
auspices of Count Graneri. This became the parent flock of the Merinos of 
Italy. 
1799. Importation into Australia of Spanish Merinos, which were forth- 
with crossed with the better varieties of European Merinos, notably those of 
Saxony. 
Under the French Consulate, Gilbert obtained from Spain fresh Merinos, 
for which there were established in various parts of France (at Perpignan, 
Arles, &c.) ten new national bergeries, which no longer exist. 
Since then, Merinos have been successively imported into Hungary, 
Southern Russia, and North and South America, and to-day the Merino sheep 
of the world number hundreds of millions. 
