C 78 i 
that resulted from crossing the breed, were so man^^ 
ifest, and the evidence that experience afforded of 
-their supporting the change of climate and treat- 
ihent without any sensible change in the quality of 
their wool, rendered the demand for thenl so great, 
that they have considerably advanced in price. In 
1796, the average price was 80’^ franks, about 
16 iB.the last sale (April, 1805,) the average price 
lo.r .a ewe was 250”, that is about 50 S ; rams 
brought from 60 to 120 E. This is •the more re¬ 
markable, as by the last treaty between France and 
Spain, the former had; a right to draw 5000 meri¬ 
nos from the flocks of the latter, 500 to be chosen 
annually for ten years. Skilful shepherds were 
sent to select them, aiid F rance now possesses a- 
bove thirty thousand of these rsheep by importation 
and by natural increase, and yet the price of the 
stock at Rambouillet has been regularly on the rise. 
The: late minister of the interior,. Mr. Chaptal, has 
novery fine flock eonsistirig of 1200 sheep. r . As the 
sales at Rambouillet were over beforeT ^retuhied 
front Italy, I requested him to spare me five from 
his flock, to which he consented, provided'I only 
took lambs and not more than two ramS) for wniclit 
I was.'to pay 1500 franks, about 300 E f this too 
was ia very special favor. The shepherd I sent to 
choose th§m found the flock infected with the scab. 
I did;pot therefore think it prudent to take. them,, 
but left the money with a gentleman who has prom¬ 
ised to bring them out next spring, either from that 
flock, or those at Raiiibouillet. I should mention 
