Evening star., 1917-09-23
Am Early Effort to
Promote Wcolem lmdwsery

a RLINGTON, notable for many
IN things and rich in many memo
ries held dear by the American
people, has in its long history one pic
turesque and important chapter which
seems to be forgotten. At least il is
not exploited in the guide books and
historical sketches. yet that chapter
had it's influence on the United States.
It was on the lands of Arlington that
an ambitious and patriotic endeavor
was made toward developing the
wooden industry of the United States.
and there, also in furtherance of that
plan. that an improved breed of sheep
was brought into being. 1t is a coinci-
dsnce that the government experiment
farm 10 maintained on part of the Ar
hngton estate. where more than a CEN
tury ago experiments were carried on
and important results achieved in sheep
breeding.
The experiments were carried on
through q series of years by George
Washington Parke Custis, a grandson
of Mrs. Washington. the adopted son
Nellie Custis-Lewis. He inherited Ar
lington from his father. John Parke
Custis. built the present mansion house
and removed to II from Mount Vernon
soon after the death there of Mrs.
Washington in 1902.
George Washington Parke Custis be-
came absorbed in agriculture, seeking
to improve the methods of American
farmers Of his time. In relation to
agriculture he took up sheep breeding
and produced a family which he called
and which was for many years known
as Arlington improved long-wool
sheep" In producing this breed he used
for his purpose sone imported sheep at
Mount Vernon ~ had been bought by
George Washingt3A. In 1908 or earlier
he launched plan for promoting
American wool manufacture. which
tus'': $ ne 'nu' explained !" a pr0spec-
Prospectus: or plan for disposinE Of the
Arlington improved sheep 10 promote tbs
usolen manufacture Of the United States and
thereby advance the most important interests oi
Il propose to sell one hundred lambs. either OF
the latter Of Which viii q ;. derived rom breed
ing stud to Be Immediately established at Ar
linsten. and from the island direct.
money to be Deposited in the hands of either oi
ths fcliowi9g gentlemen William Herbert. esq
Hand. and John Tayloe of Mount Airy. in ths
state Of Virginia. which three gentlemen viii
have exclusive power to lay out the money thu,
received In any stock Of the United States
thereby to create a fund. the interes, of which
ahal1 be appropriated to annual premium fo
fAe benefit Of American woolen manufacture
This premium shall be given for the best tel
yards Of American manufactured broadclo,h I,
be made Of American wool alone. to be the widtl
Of the best English broadcloth and of u nationa
b1R color.
This premium will be adjudged at the city o
Warrington on the 30th day of each April ant
VIII continue as long the American govern
mspt shall exist.
The commissioners above named shall hav
the power Of fixing the time and manner Of tn
show Of cloths and Of appointing two Of th
Judges. the remaining two TO be appointed b.
the President Of the United States. and tin
premium cloth shall be respectively divided be
tWsea the President Of the United States, tn
three commissioners and myself"
In 1908. in an address to the Ameri
can people. he said that some year,
before that date he had made humbl,
efforts in the cause OF agriculture ant
domestic economy by proposing an an
nual premium for the finest race O
sheep" Happily" he continued, I'm,
sndeavors have been crowned will
very much success. and shall have tn,
superior luxury Of presenting to m.
{ country and the world q very capita
Improvement in this truly valuable
fnce Of animals"
Mr.. Curtis went on to tell Of the Ar
11ngten improved or American long