, 1841-12-11

%rinoes OF Spain, procured just before the
French overrun the country. Sir Charles
lSteward, TIE English Ambassador. purchased
the Royal flock. He shipped them, after a
hurried drive scarcely out of the reach OF the
pursuing enemy, some hundred of miles. Six
thousand only reached the shores OF Eng
land {; and after the lapse of Il year. two
thousand sound sheep survived. These were
purcha ,ed BY my father. The first years clip
sold readily for one dollar per pound IN the
grease, amounting to ten thousand dollars
This was then thought to be a low price
wool, once, during the war about three years
previous. having attained the enormous price
of five dollars per pound. Some additions
were after wards made from the Paula and
EScurial focks. When | emigrated to this
country, in 1917. | brought with me six OF
the finest ANIMALS Of the wool bearing species
ever brought to this country. This IS the
origin of nv flock: thew have been kept in
the same district. and on the same farm where
| now reside. e YER since.
No deterioration in wool has taken place
on the contrary. the yI fibre of them is
somewhat finer. Eighty ewes. purchased
Of Mr.. Beecher. OF Lancaster. Ohio, from
the Steubenville stock, has been the only at-
dition t, the pure bred stock. The excel
lence of nv wool is not only 10 be attribu-
ted to the f~ineness Of the original stock, but
to the continued selection of males with the
finest wool. This flock has never been pam
pered. but has been kept hardly, in a way
lha, any farme, may keep them. They 90
oct on the prairie m April, and live upon the
prairie grass till October, or until 1t rs too
dry and harsh. They are then brought into
the enclosed pastures. aud as winter advan-
cPs. they are fed night and morning with hay
and n few sheaf oats, or n small portion Of
shelied corn. say half n pint 20 each sheep.
The flock is now completely accI'mafed. and
may he said after a twenty years domIcile.
to be a native Illinois breed. Since / have
owned them. there is n change for the bette
in the constitution and faitening qualities 81
these sheep. When they first came from
Spain the ewes were accounted had mothers;
and many were Of tender constitute u.s.
Now, from attention IL these points in So
long 4 course of breeding. the ewes are ex-
cellent mothers. and the faltesr sheep isf"und
To have the finest fleece. They are deci-
dedIy harder than the common sheep. These
facts show that fine wooded sheep are adap-
ted To the soil and climate of Illinois, and
that they may be kept without any fear Of
degeneracv in wool or carca;r.
OF the urge framed. long wooded sheep 81
England. we have had less decided experi-
ence. Yet some may he gathered (imper'ecr
as it is useful and important. ! brought
fran ENGLAND. with the Morin"es. two B,kr-
we'll and two Lincolnshire RIMS: and fou'
Ewes;two rams and two ewes died on tn
passage. One ram. run over by 4 reckless
stage driver in Jersey. had all four of his Iec-
hr"hrn. One arrived in Illinois, hut was
killed by 4 wolf before he reached my hoJSr.
Two ewes Of the Bakewell breed came safe.
". One of these died first. Fog this one
eve. with my fine WOO ed bucks. a strain Of
sheep are yet observable, with deep chests.
Stwf; legs and broad backs. with great apti-
'ude In farien. From the same cross upon
common sheep. MANY of the progeny are de-
tecIive in shape, though wi M fleece Of equal
fineness.
GEORGE FLOWER.
Albion. Edwards co.. Ill.