The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-06-24
sHEEP---THEIR EARLY INTRODUCTION.


of which we have any record, were brought !
from England to jamestown, Virginia, in
1909. In 1913, the number increased to
5000. In the early part of the last ccntu-
ry, they throve, well and bore good fleece
but wool-raising was suffered to decline,
owing to the losses sustained by tearing Oft
the wool by bushes and briars.
Sheep were introduced into the planta-
tons OF Massachusetts Bay prior to 1888.
as mention is rrade of keeping them on the
islands in the harbor, to protect them from
the Indians and wolves. They we're intro.
duced into Nantucket in 1GGO, at the time
of the first settlement by the proprietors
The first sheep introduced into this State
according to Van Onderdouck, who wrote
about the year 1850, were brought from
Holland in 1928; others were brought
from Zealand at Tcxcl to RensseIaerkwcS
in 1880. But little progress was made on
the Hudson for many years, in consequence
Of the ravagcs committed by dogs and
wolves. In 1913, there were not over six
teen sheep in the colony. In 1850, they
were so scarce that an animal bearing wool
was worth from eight to ten dollars.
The first Spanish sheep introduced into
this country, Of which we have any account
were sent by NJ. DelIessert banker in Par
is, and arrived at Philadelphia, in the ship
Ben njamin Franklin, on the 10th of July,
1901. Owing to long and boisterous
passage, out Of the four bucks shipped only
one lived to reach this country.
The introduction Of Merino sheep into
the United States formed an era from which
we may date much Of our thrift ard pros
pcrity. Chancellor Livingston, Of this
state forcsaw at an early period the i'm
mense advantages that would result to our
country from the introduction, and sent
from Spain, in 1902, two couplets of Sc
lect Spanish Merino sheep; and to him be-,
longs the honor of one Of the earliest i'm
portations. Subsequently. by himself Colo
mel Humfrey, Gen Darby, Consul Jarvis,
and others, the country was supplied with
. Merino sheep. 1t was not, however, until
some seven or eight years after their first
introduction, that their importance began
to be appreciated. A mania for sheep then
: commenced, scarcely exceled by the Mo,
rus multtcauites speculation at later Pc
, riod. AS much as $1,000, and in some in
stances 81 500, was paid for single buck.
In 1910 or, l2, Bakewell sheep were
> first introduced on Long Island, by Thomas
Lax, an Englishman, and by the late Chris
topher Dunn, of Albany. In 1914, Mr.
, Dunn obtained a buck Of the same breed
which was captured by one of our priva.
teers from an English vessel on her way to
, Canada. Since the war Of 1912, many
importations, by different individuals, have
taken place in all the parts of the country
Among the early importers Of South
Down sheep were the late Jonl Fl Powell
Of Philadelphia 4; Francis Rotch, Otsegc
county, N. Y, Sidney uawes. who emi
: grated to this country in 1882, and settled
on "Three Hills Farm" near Albany
Messrs. Brentnal and Wait Orange county
N. Y, and more recently, L. G. Morris
= Fordbam, N. Y, J. c. Taylor, New Jer
: sey; and Samuel Tborne, Washington
: Hollow, Duchess county N. Y, who, will
commendable liberty, without regard to ex
j. pense, has imported some of the choicest
S specimens of this valuable breed that coule
be procured in England.
The Downs imported by Mr.. Hawes ir
1882, came in the possession Of the write,
o with the farm, in 1885. We bred from
Q them several years, and found them valu
j. bic breed. Their mutton is Of the choices
J. kind, and always commands the higbes
price. although from the properties of tn
sheep it can be produced at the least cost
IS BY their activity and vigor, both Of muscl
and constitution, they are fitted to encoun
ter any difficulty, as well to endure the ex
IL treDnss of heat and cold.
In Great Britain, the South Downs stant
. at the head of the short-wooled sheep
They were once confined to a small distric
" in Sussex, but for the last forty or fift,
" years have been rising in favor, and on hill
ly lands Of the second-rate fertility bav
|" proved themselves superior to all othe
breeds. In several countries Of Epglan'
they have driven out the old kinds; bein,
hardy. quick stock, good nurses, fatteninI
kindly, and, when fat, bringing the highes
= price in market. They are cultivated NOR
particularly for their mutton, which, 70
= quality, takes precedence Of all Others
- Their early maturity and extreme aptitud
= to take on flesh, render them pecuIiarl
valuable for this purpose. The ewes ar