A POTATO WASHER . — SPANISH AND FRENCH MERINOS. 
15 
A POTATO WASHER. 
We copy the above sketch of a potato washer 
from the English Agricultural Gazette, which de¬ 
scribes it as simply a churn-like cylinder, with open 
bars placed at such a distance as to prevent any of 
the potatoes from falling through, except very small 
ones. As it revolves, the lower part passes through 
a trough of water, and thus washes them. The cy¬ 
linder may be easily unshipped from the frame any 
time desired. We have seen something similar to 
this in our country, and it was found very conve¬ 
nient, especially where large quantities of potatoes 
were used. Potatoes, and indeed, all roots, before 
being fed to stock, ought to be well washed. 
Spaniel) anb JrencI) Jtterinos. 
In compliance with your request, I give you a 
short abstract of such observations on the present 
condition of Merino sheep in France and Spain, as 
my limited opportunities allowed me to gather, 
during my excursion in these interesting countries 
the past year. My travels extended over but a 
small portion of the sheep districts of the latter 
country, owing to the many obstacles which con¬ 
curred to obstruct my progress. My opportunities 
of observation, therefore, were narrowed down to a 
small compass, and I beg you will assign no more 
than their due weight to my superficial examina¬ 
tions. 
On my arrival at Madrid, my first step was to 
ascertain through our minister, Mr. Irving, to whom 
[ am much indebted for furthering my efforts in the 
most cordial manner—whether permission to ex¬ 
port sheep could be obtained. Upon investigation 
it was ascertained that no impediment existed to 
prevent their exportation, other than a duty of 
about $5 per head. Learning this fact, I at once 
proceeded to elicit such information from some of 
the leading proprietors, as would tend to give me a 
general idea of the characteristics of their respect¬ 
ive flocks. Although experiencing great difficulty 
in acquiring any other satisfactory information, 
tending to establish the superiority of any one 
breed at the present time, still I found it to be the 
prevailing impression that the best race of sheep 
were those belonging to the Geronimo Monks, 
which, on the suppression of the monasteries, were 
scattered over the kingdom, and chiefly fell into 
the hands of the more wealthy grandees. I was 
told* however, that none of the descendants of this 
superior flock are now to be found pure, owing to 
the carelessness of their breeding after changing 
masters, and as a natural consequence of the dis¬ 
tracted state of this unhappy country, which 
in subjecting the agricultural interest to all 
the harassing vicissitudes of civil war, has 
necessarily prevented that attention which alone 
could secure and preserve the superiority and 
purity of this race. To this cause also is doubtless 
to be assigned the deteriorated condition of those 
flocks of which I took a personal inspection. The 
flocks of the Duke del Infantada and Don Fajoiga, 
are among the largest in Spain, embracing upwards 
of 200,000 sheep. Those of the latter rank much 
higher in choice breeding in the estimation of 
Spaniards, than the former, though he very frankly 
admitted that pure bred Paulars were not to be 
found in his flock, nor, in his opinion, did they exis'l 
at the present day in Spain. This assertion I took 
without any qualification, as coming from one who 
is entitled to every consideration, and in right not 
only of his being one of the most enterprising agri¬ 
culturists of the day, but of his prominent position 
as President of the corporation instituted for the 
security and preservation of the sheep interest. 1 
regret to add, that some of the Spanish breeders have 
latterly made the same mistake as too many of ua 
here at home, viz., in having sent to Saxony foi 
rams to cross upon their flocks, which has lessened 
the size and injured the constitution of their flocks. 
They now see their error, and are returning to the 
strong, hardy, pure old race as fast as possible. 
The principal province for the pasturage of tran- 
shumantes, or wandering sheep, during the winter 
season, is, as you are well aware, Estramadura. 
To this interesting portion of the country I directed 
my steps, deviating from the ordinary track of 
travellers, for the purpose of taking a personal in¬ 
spection of some of the most celebrated flocks. 
My interest was first excited by the reports which 
reached me, of the superior reputation of the flock 
of Don Jose Alvarez, near Frujillo, and accordingly 
I availed myself of the earliest opportunity to see 
them. This person was the administrator of the 
Prince of Peace, and had the exclusive manage 
ment of his flock. On the confiscation of his pro¬ 
perty, a portion of the sheep fell into his (Alvarez’s) 
hands. He represented them to me as being the 
only pure Paulars now to be found in Spain. 
These sheep were very uneven, and did not im¬ 
press me favorably, though possibly a good judge 
might by careful selection obtain some valuable 
animals here. The bucks were of fair size, and 
of good proportions; tolerably well woollen; 
the quality of wool quite good, and would command 
about 40 cents with us at present. I should think 
that selected bucks would yield 8 lbs. per head. 
The price asked for these sheep was #12 each. I 
may as well mention here that the English importa¬ 
tion, in 1814, was made from this flock. After this 
I visited a number of other flocks, but they were so 
inferior to those last seen, that any further account 
of them is superfluous. 
In these flocks, or indeed any others it was my 
good fortune to see, I could discover no points of 
superiority sufficiently marked to justify an impor¬ 
tation into the Uuited States. I am very far from 
wishing, by these remarks, to discourage any one 
