WEIGHT AND CHARACTER OF THEIR FLEECES.

The fleeces of these sheep vary from eight to fifteen pounds, the whole flock of over one hundred breeding ewes having averaged over eight pounds of merchantable wool, free from burs, tags, &c.; and though not washed on the sheep's back, still clean enough for domestic manufacture. Though the fleeces of these sheep (like those of all other breeds) are not perfectly uniform as to length, thickness, and fineness of fibre, still there is a general uniformity, and the diversity is of no practical disadvantage. Their wool is longer than that of any sheep, except those of the Cotswold family, and is equal in length to that of many individuals of that family, while it greatly excels the wool of the Cotswold in fineness and softness of fibre, and in the number of fibres to the square inch. In some individuals it is wavy or curly, but it is never harsh or wiry. Except the face and the legs below the knees, the whole body is covered with a close and compact fleece, which, when full-grown, leaves no open line on the back, as with the Cotswold; but gives a perfect protection to the sheep, and causes them to present a smooth, handsome, and portly appearance. Their fleeces have enough of grease and gum to preserve the softness and vitality of the fibres, even to their ends, but not so much as to give the sheep a dark and dirty appearance. Their wool receives domestic dyes without any washing whatever, is easily cleaned on the sheep's back, and when it is washed in soft water, with soap, it readily becomes very white, receives chemical dyes, and preserves its lustre perfectly. It has generally commanded from three to five cents per pound more than any other wool, in the markets of the vicinity; and I desire to refer to the opinions of several extensive and intelligent manufacturers who have bought it frequently. Mr. L. C. Stedman, of Georgetown, says: "As regards the wool of your sheep, I think very highly of it, being strong and well adapted to our use for domestic purposes; cards and spins well, and makes a good, strong fabric." Mr. J. W. Martin, of Midway, says: "It is in all respects superior wool, and peculiarly adapted to the manufacture of jeans and linseys, and we have paid more per pound for it than for any other wool." Mr. S. L. Brownell (an extensive and experienced manufacturer of Louisville) says: "I noticed particularly its working qualities, and believe that no cross of wool could be effected that would improve its working character. It seems to have a length, strength, and texture, and at the same time firmness, fineness, and softness of staple, which render it peculiarly adapted to southern and western manufacture and wear. Your sheep will produce yearly eight pounds.".

Mr. Joseph Gorbut, of Woodford county, says: "I can and do with pleasure say that we prefer the wool of your 'Improved Kentucky' sheep to that of any other we have ever used. When we take into consideration the fineness of the texture, the length and evenness of the staple, the weight of the fleece, its clearness of gum, (losing less in scouring than any other of any kind,) we can say that we prefer the wool purchased of you to any other we use; and in consequence have for years recommended our customers to supply themselves with your 'Improved Kentucky' sheep."

FACTS AND OPINIONS CONCERNING THE "IMPROVED KENTUCKY" SHEEP, FROM

INTELLIGENT AND PROMINENT PERSONS.

Contemplating a publication concerning these sheep, and knowing that the best test of their merits was the practical experience of those to whom I had sold them during many years, I addressed a letter to a number of the most experienced, prominent, and intelligent purchasers of them, requesting a brief and candid statement of their opinions, and their success with them; and I enclose, in their own language, extracts from replies which have been received up to the present time, all of which, I am thankful to be able to say, are quite favorable. Their full address is given, so as to serve others for future reference.

Mr. William L. French, Loutre, Audrain county, Missouri, says: "I have been breeding them for a number of years, and consider them the sheep for this part of the country. Their size, weight, and quality of fleece, early maturity, thriftiness, &c., put them ahead, in my opinion, of any other breed. I have crossed them with the common sheep, the Cotswold, and the South Down. The cross on the common ewes was remarkable; a great many of the lambs look as though they might be full blood. The cross on the Cotswolds and South Downs improved the produce of the former by earlier maturity, and by thickness, weight, and fineness of fleece, and of the latter by increased size, and weight of fleece. I have always found ready sale for my lambs at good prices."

From Mr. R. H. Brackin, of Smyrna, Tennessee: "It gives me pleasure to add my testimony as to the superiority of your 'Improved Kentucky' sheep. The lot which I purchased of you did well. I was not able to supply the demand for ram lambs, at twenty-five dollars per head, all of which gave good satisfaction. I raised from one of the ewes two lambs which weighed (at five months old) 105 and 111 pounds gross, and clipped 5 and 6 pounds of wool; they brought me $50. The mother, when I sold the lambs, weighed one hundred and seventy-five pounds. Another lamb, at six months old, weighed 122 pounds, clipped 6 pounds, and brought me $25. I have had in my flock the pure New Oxfordshire, the three-fourths Cotswold, and the 'Improved Kentucky,' and, of course, had an opportunity of observing their adaptation to our climate, and their fattening quality, &c. The Kentuckies, in my opinion, stand at the head of the list."

From Mr. J. D. Reinhardt, of Lamar, Mississippi: "As regards the sheep which you sent me of your 'Improved Kentucky' breed, after close observation and comparison with other breeds which have claims upon the public, I can safely say that yours are the best for this climate, and our short pastures. They yield more than twice as much wool; are very hardy, and quite as prolific as the native. They are better suited to our climate than the larger breeds of sheep, on account of their easy keep; and their wool is better suited to our wants than the coarser wool. My sheep yielded fleeces of eleven and twelve pounds at one year old."

From Mr. E. Carlin, of Franklin, Louisiana: "They were very prolific, perfectly healthy at all times, and in fine order with no other care but the grazing of our common pastures. I think they are more suitable and better adapted to this climate, and to our pastures, than any other breed."

The following is from Mr. H. H. Rutherford, of Hardinsburg, Indiana, February 2, 1867: "The fleece of a two-year-old ram weighed eleven pounds, shorn in February, and the sheep weighed one hundred and ninety-three pounds after being shorn and having been wintered as stock sheep. They were well liked by everybody, and sold readily."

The following is from Mrs. Ellen Tznaga, an intelligent and enterprising lady planter, of Water Proof, Louisiana, March, 1867: "The sheep you sent me (some years since) were a splendid breed, and have done very well. The wool is particularly fine, for large sheep, and the mutton excellent."

The following is from Mr. W. F. Gray, of Nashville, Tennessee, January 31, 1867: "So far as my observation goes I most emphatically and unhesitatingly assert that the sheep which I purchased of you are unsurpassed by any in this or any other section, both for their wool and mutton qualities. Those which I have are the admiration of all who see them. They seem to keep fat on less than any other breed of sheep which I ever owned."

Mr. G. W. Humphreys, of Port Gibson, Mississippi, February, 1867, says: "Thy will keep fat on less pasture than any sheep I know, and their wool is of superior quality."

The following is from Mr. R. C. Watson, an enterprising farmer, and a woollen manufacturer, of Oregon, Holt county, Missouri, February, 1867: "The wool

of the Kentucky sheep is well adapted to the manufacture of satinet, jeans, linsey, &c. I consider the Kentucky sheep the best breed for all practical purposes which our farmers can raise."

Mr. Thomas Hardeman, of Grenada, Carroll county, Mississippi, January, 1867, writes as follows: "The lambs prove to be entirely healthy and hardy, which has not been the case with the other long-wool varieties which have come under my observation. The two full-blood ewes which I have raised from those which I obtained of you, show the entire characteristics of their dams, and the half-blood lambs which I raised from them (the rams) show very plainly the impress of the parent stock, which, with their hardiness, makes them a very valuable practical breed of sheep."

I offer for publication one letter only from Kentucky, (as their reputation is well established in this State,) from Mr. Thomas Steele, of Versailles, Woodford county, whose father, Judge William Steele, several years since, purchased ten ewes and one buck of me; he claims that "their wool is heavier, finer, and longer, and the sheep are larger and finer looking, than any others I have seen."

Mr. H. O. Colomb, of St. James parish, Louisiana, "regards the breed as the finest ever introduced there."

The following is from Mr. L. W. H. Wright, an intelligent and enterprising practical and amateur farmer and stock raiser, near St. Louis, Missouri: "My opinion in regard to the 'Improved Kentucky' sheep is such as will place the stock upon my farm as a permanent institution. As for mutton, in my estimation, they are equal to the South Down; and for wool, and fine form and size, they excel all others of their grade of wool. They are remarkably healthy and active, and stand as hard weather as any kind of sheep, if not better, as their splendid fleeces are a great protection. When in full fleece they are worthy of the notice of an artist. All of my ewes, bought of you, had twins last year, but one; and that is a great advantage they possess over all others."

Letters similar in character might be almost indefinitely multiplied, but these will suffice to place this new variety of sheep in a plain and practical view before the country.

My flock, at present, includes about two hundred females, and about fifty yearling males. Samples of the wool of the present flock have been placed on exhibition at the Agricultural Department at Washington.

THE RAM GOLDEN FLEECE.

THE "Maple Shade" flock of Cotswold sheep, imported and owned by Mr. John D. Wing, Maple Shade, Washington, Dutchess county, New York, consists of selected animals from the best flocks of thorough-bred sheep in England, many of them being secured by Mr. Wing personally while in England. They are strictly pure, without a cross, and every sheep has a reliable pedigree. Most of them were bred by William Lane, esq., of Broadfield, his name standing at the head of breeders in the Cotswold hills. Robert Garne, esq., of Aldsworth, is largely and favorably represented, as also William Hewer, esq., of North Leach, and George Fletcher, esq., of Andoversford, both known as very careful breeders. These sheep are known for their heavy and valuable fleece, their great mutton properties, and strong constitution. The wool is very long, with bright lustre, known as combing wool in our markets, being the most desirable and highest priced of any. It averages over twelve inches in length, sometimes as long as