Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-05-27

~" SSh NiAOtil sliNi TIC improved
bakewello or Disly breed. Such was
The rage for obtaining this last menti-
oned stock, that Mr.. BLACKWELL has
been known one year to. let out,
tor the tipping season only, and to a
number of ewes, q think fiftyl
three OF his best rams, at the enormous
price of 400 guineas each---1aOo
guineas for the three II is therefore
out OF my power to state to what
lengths the Improvement Of sheep, or
excellence of wool, have since been
carried to in England.
During short residence in Spain.
(before our revolutionary wary where
the interior country is very similar in
climate to this, and in the same lati-
Jude found the best woolled sheep
were nearly in the central parts of that
where the climate too is
more even and temperate. They
move their sheep in vast Aocks, (some-
times is 900 in a aock) from the exs
IRENE OF summer and winter seasons,
to those commons and fields, for bet
ter Pasturage, and situated in milder
so thatthe herds are generally
on the move southward ornorhtward. |
look upon shift or move of pasturape,
after that of proper food, as the next es-
sential for obtaining fine and healthy
sheep. About Biscay, and that nor
thern division, thought the sheep
interior to those on the Catalonia or
Mediterranean side, which is in a
much warmer climate. The Grenada
mountains (more southwark, tho al
ways capt with snow shew some fine
tiocks on their surrounding plains.
Their food is solely short, close-tex-
tured grass, with several wild herbs
OF aromatic favour. Their breeders
are careful as to choice of stock rams.
but never alter the lambs with the knife
as we do, and preferthe mode of twis
ing, which they suppose aids the sta
pie OF their wool These are my crude
observations, made so far back as 1774
and 1775.
For the productions exhibited at the
last weeks Arlington strengthening
at Mr. Custis's farm, (Which has only
between 1t and the city of Washington
he river Potomac, and near which the
Potomac Bridge is beginning to be
oullt) must refer you to the publish
ed accounts, for the nature and destri- !
oution of his annual prize. The pre-
NUNS this year, as heretofore, were
Tor the best ten yards specimen of
lomesPnn cotton: have hopes they
will soon be extended TO woollen cloth. |
is well as fiaxen linen of which last
there was specimen of table cloth |
exhibited at the meeting, Of damask
pattern, In its brown, unbleached |
state, which, in fneness of texture
and OF weaving, would not disgrace
when bleached) any table in the Uai-
zee States. l am informed, it was
made at Mr.. Mason's in Washing
on county.
But, Sir. Mr.. Cnstis's primary and
most beneficial object, is confined to !
sheep and wool. He certainly de-
serves every commentator for this
lis institution. which though lately |
begun, is now becoming duly noticed. !
He has taken the very highest ground
TOR beneftlng his country, by the en-
of sheep-breeding, and !
thereby getting the most beneficial |
productions of wool for establishing a
nome manufacture of cloth, in which !
we have been so backward, and here |
.ofore so very dependent on European
markets.
Within this twenty years, and in
he recollection of most readers, the
culture of cotton, for expectation from
he United States, was hardly contem-
olated--- nay, the attempt was even
aughed at. Yet we now see shat we
nave supplied, for some years past,
he Deficiencies Of the British markets |
With ample quantities aud that our
and particularly Georgia |
md Sea Island productions, Obtain
lecided preference, and produce o |
higher price from the British ma
luiacturers, (from their superior fine |
quality and length Of stapIe) than cot
on OF any other production in the vi |
inverse.
Why then may it not be so as to