Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-11-29
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the American Farmer.
IMPROVEMENT IN SHEEP.
Lucky HIT. Farm, Frederick co. ia.

october IL, 1881.
MR SMITH; yourself and readers arc not already IA
gucd with continued Efforts impress the minds OF
mers the importance of improving their breeds of sheep
Whatever kind or denomination, will be made,
with the view OF laying foundation for future usefulness
even TO those who considered of planters than
mers who Indirectly If not always Immediately, partake
the bcnet OF improvement, through operation their
patriotism in convenient and beneficial exchange of their
natural productions for those of their ghbors
although the sentiment, "my home, my country and nv
brother man. cannot be too literally nculcated still, our
nearest neighbors should have the preference in friendly
and commercial exchanges, Independent of the interesting
circumstances which peculiarly bind us together band
oil brothers lie assured SIR that observations of this kind
are intended to have political bearing, further than to ex-
press hearty cooperation 10 the promotion of every object
essentially relieving Of dependence foreign nations
especially where nature and experience has suggested
plain and prosperous course neither inern i,b the
rights oil those Abroad expressing of the
nations home But they necessarily connected with
The design OF the writer 10 discover by all the in his
power the kind of woobeang animal best adapted TO the
soils and climates Of our country
and 10 recommend their adaptation under
he production OF wool one ofour prime interests and will
lead through It's Improvement to superior comforts and
more general independence society formed, some
years SINCE having national aspect, headed by
some great names for the improvement of woo-it is
doubtful whether serious taken by
any oil them 10 promote better and general knowi-
edge ofitt is rather prcsumabe that the exciting sub
lects OF the day. having ransory interest have put i'm the
back ground having permanency interest not less
important in its way than others, which greatly sustain
the general fabric OF our independence If in the various
countries OF Europe it is thought eXpedcn and
In their national institutions to collect and then dsc
Inv
should be so lightly thought Of with us where the de-
mand for wool in its varieties is daily increasing for the
use oil our ingenious and encrpring manufacturers who
are not confined TO section OF the cOtry, but who
as they should be, planting their machinery wherever
ure and art invites, and interest stimulates and will il not
be well TO consider and comprehend the fact that its pcc
will he enhanced and rcgulacd by the improving state of
our manufacturers If in the island of Great Britain their
long experience leads them 10 discriminate between some
twenty different breeds of sheep adapted their varying
soils, situations, and interests surely immense ter
ory the same reasons must operate with increased
and prOpriety
An important Convention is 10 be held in the city of
New York, TO advance the manufacturing interests. Can
they not in the OF their deliberations suggest some
general plan for the improvement of wool every section
of country, part of that American system which
is expected they will promote through special attention
to the interests of woollcn manufactures having at the
same time kindred regard in all their deliberations TO the
differing interests of those who think themselves accricv-
ed by too rigid an application of tariff regulations will
now, sir plainly state that the object of this brief appeal
principally TO shecpbrccders, is for the purpose of acqur
ing every information connected with the subject which
can possess an humble essayst with the materials for
bodylng mass OF facts from which attempt will be
made to recommend plans OF nemxture for the improve
mcnt of our American ocs and thereby TO approximate
nearly possible that perfection which science NAV
afford to nature, in adapting the animal TO the soil and eli
mate instead of forcing the the other the certain
deterioration Of one, without any probability Of benefit TO
the other Out OF the numberess facts which are either
hidden revealed by the philosophy of this subject this
broad one may perhaps be generally known that the
hncstwoocd sheep, close and best calculated protect
he against the gors othe climate are best adapted our
northern country, while larger with wool loose Ion
ger, less fine, and aoding better mutton will on
all olcrabe grass soils, be better adapted the southern
medium between the two in farmers style a cross
would best suit the middle part Of the United States where
time VIII probably prove, when sufficient interest is cx
ered TO make experiments and comparisons that the race
OF sheep III that region of country will superior TO those
raised either TO the north south of them fit is fact
which is believed to be undoubted that even tire locality
OF some farms in the general and particular climate
agree much better with the health and constitution of sheen
than Others how reasonable, and indeed important il will
be, to ascertain what kind of the wool-beane animal will
be best adapted to the great divisions Of our much greater
country! In order, them 10 obtain the information ncccs
sary TO carry into effect the preceding suggestions viz be
theory OF adapting sheep In the length quality and close
ness OF their WOOL their size and capacity 10
for mutton purposes, 10 the varying soils and climates of
QUIZ land, the writer must be under obligations Ia ineIli
gent gentlemen I'm each Of States; and ne would car
nesty solicit information pertinent TO the subject and fur
Their not that c 10 dictate the manner of corrn,,p
eating TO any who will have the goodness to consider
the great value Of IT, particularly in relation TO the farming
interest," but merely TO suggest essential points i'm de-
crbng the kind and quality Of animals in connection with
the soil and culture viz their probable origin progress and
change, any their numbers and general purpose at hat
age they generally slaughtered and what proporon
are marketed AZ lamb; the price and wegho mutton onan
MY and quality of wool shorn; price, aud to what adapted
length Of staple and general characters what varieties of
sheep, &c multitude of circumstances might be arraved
20 prove the Importance OF some undertaking laoug of
this kind which would have been proposed y tie in
competent, though jealous Individual who now prcscnts
IA 10 IsJ lcov