1303.] G219:45

ON SPANISH SHEEP, AND THEIR WOOL. To the Editor of the Agricultural Magazine.

SIR, Buth, November 16, 1803. Am to thank your correspondent, Mercator"LYarraconensi3, for the candour with wbich he has corrgcted“ iny Statenfent a reference to the trading distinctions of Spanish. Wool, as well as for his additional information on the Subject;

Without entering into au examination of the particular dis- tinctions, in which 1 have no where asgumed to be competent, and which to the farmer would not be considerably important, 1 cannot but notice his conclusion, which to me Seems highly interesting and important; namely; that the cost or expence attendant o8 the importation of Spanish Wool to this country, amounts to between 3C and 40. per cent. Or according to cur- rent prices, about 25. per 1b. and: highly interesüng it certainly 15, if in the result it Shall be fairly found that we posSess the means of Supplying one of our Staple, manutactures with an article at less than the present-cost ofus transit irom a fo- reign COUNLrYy«

In all my past correspöndence, you will readily perceive the principal object has been to excite a more general attention to the improvement of Britich Wool, by interbreeding with Spanish Razns; but Sheep ofthe fourth or fifth generation for all practical purposes, are eonzidered to be equal to the Spa- vieh Progenitor, by Pallas, Sir Joseph Banks, Dr. Ander- Son, Lasteyrie Dr. Parry, and many odhers who have had ample opportunities of experience; and the breed hath already 50 far proceeded in this country, that rams of that description, and still higher crosses, may DoW be procured in very cousi- derable number. 8

T have known descendants of the pure Spanish by English ewes,(in the first instance,) to produce, heavier fleeces than the original. The comparison of weight is certain and deci- Sive--but even in degree of Üneness,(the minute Shades of which are Dot 80 easily determined, even by first rate judges,) a SUPECrIOr weight ol fleece 15 generally covnsidered to be a pretty Sure criterion of Superior Üneness; all other circum- Stances of age, weight of carcase, number of descents,&C. being equal. IE. this principle wili hold in Spanish Sheep, it may probably apply to other breeds.

With your Correspondent 1 admit,(ot have rather insisted on it,)“ that the-wool of tbis race would pay more than the keep of the animal producing it; and that it requires a Very Small Share of talent in calculation, t9 Shew the importance GE he Improvement of our EugliSh wools." But easy as these calculations are, it is-xequiaite they Should ow from experi- mental data. Many individuals have had this experience, and