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534 SHEEP.

According to this official statement, the Spanish breed of sheep that produce the finest wool, intro- duced into France thirty years ago, has not mani- fested the smallest symptom of degeneration, /al- though the district, in which they have been kept, is not the most proper for sheep: this is proved by samples of the finest wool, brought from Spain in 1786, still preserved.

The sheep sold annually from this flock have ex- ceeded the expectation of the purchasers.

Weight of the fleeces, from six to twelve pounds each(supposed unwashed, or in yoke); the ram fleeces heavier.

Common-bred sheep, crossed by a Spanish ram, produce fleeces, double in weight, and far more valuable than their own: the cross being conti- nued, by thorough-bred Spaniards, the wool of the third, or fourth generation, is nearly equal to pure Spanish. z

These mixed breeds kept as easily, and fattened as cheaply, as the common breeds of the ey:

The speculation of i improving the wool of France,

by the introduction of Spanish sheep, is now fully proved and realized, and all question or contro. versy on the subject, at an end.

The amelioration of wool, at Rambouillet, has made so great a progress, that in a circle from twenty-four to thirty-six miles in diameter, the ma+ eda purchased thirty-five thousand pounds

f wool, improved by two, three, or four crosses. Those who wish to accelerate the amelioration of their flocks, by introducing into them ewes of this

improved