62 AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

bloods, and all who dined in company pronounced the meat of the half-breed wethers superior to lamb, and at eighteen months old, superior to mutton; the flavor approaches nearer to venison than to mutton. They remain fat nearly throughout the year, and in Novem- ber are almost too fat for the table. We observed a great improve- ment in the progeny of the full bloods over their imported parents, both in fatness and size. The weight. of the buck is given as 155 pounds; that of the doe 102 pounds.

LIABILIIY TO BE DESTROYXED BX DOGsS.

If this animal were as liable to be killed by dogs as the common sheep, we would tremble for the perpetuity of the race in our coun- try. A flock of sheep when pursued by dogs scatter in every direc- tion, and fall an easy prey to their relentless blood-thirsty foe; but when he approaches a herd of goats, he finds them formed into a ring—the kids in the centre and the old bucks in advance—exhibit- ing their formidable horns. No dog is bold enough to close in, but usually runs, barking, around them, thus attracting attention, and receiving the reward of his carnivorous designs. Mr. Peters informs us that he gave up the raising of sheep after having a dozen fine South-Downs killed by a pack of dogs, when they also destroyed four common ewe goats; but since there were no sheep on the farm, to tempt the dogs, they have not come near. He says that he has lost none of his goats, either of the pure breeds or the grades, by dogs. He further remarks that with a large herd he had no trouble. They have a range of two or three miles over fields and through woods; they return every evening before sunset to their house, and in case of a shower of rain, run to their shelter, even at the distance of several miles. He believes that a thousand or more would continue in fine condition, during summer and fall, in one flock, on a large range, as they are free from disease, do not crowd together like sheep, or suffer from heat; they are very easily driven and managed, and do not run off and get lost.

FLEECE.

The quantity sheared in April was, from the aged bucks, from 5 to 7 pounds, and from the ewes from 4 to 5 pounds. Mr. Peters shears but once a year, but intends hereafter to clip the kids in September and again in April.

In regard to the fineness of the fleece, we find a microscopic exami- nation of the hair of Asiatic goats, from the stock now owned by Mr. Peters, William P. Davenport, of Virginia, and Dr. Ambler, then of New Vork, printed in the Agricultural Report of the Patent Office for 1855. The examinations were made by George C. Schaeffer, M. D. He says,'“the degree of fineness is about that of the finest Saxony

wool.“ He gave also an outline from a piece of shawl stuff im-

ported from Calcutta, and said to be the finest ever brought into this country.“ He adds,"it is gratifying, then, to be assured that the