ies for the manufacture of these goods will rapidly
multiply in New England and elsewhere, and will soon, to a very great
extent take the place of those now consuming the fine wools.

In support of these views, permit me to give the following extracts from
the work of Mr. Randall, the well known and enthusiastic champion of the
Merinos. He says:

"In the American market there is a much larger demand for medium
than fine wools, and the former commands much the best price in
proportion to its cost of production."

Again he says:

"American producers of very fine wool have ever fed an expectation,
but never obtained the fruition of their hopes."

These are significant admissions, coming as they do from such a quarter.

* * * * *

The South Downs are a variety of sheep of decided merit; but have never,
I think, been fully appreciated by the farmers of Michigan. They are of
large size and symmetrically formed, with hardy and robust
constitutions, and their wool is fine, short and curled, and destitute
of fibrous spires that give to it the felting properties. It is neither
a short nor a long staple, but ranks in this country as "middle wool."
The shorter staples are made into flannels and light woolen goods; and
the longer are extensively used for combing. Their mutton is
unsurpassed; its flavor is delicate, and the flesh juicy and well
intermixed with fat. They are the most prolific breeders--the proportion
of ewes bringing twins being at least fifty per cent. I recently saw a
fine flock of South Down ewes in the State of New York of which more
than three-fourths of the whole flock had twins.

Among the more desirable varieties or families, for the production of
long wool, in this climate, are, perhaps, the Cotswolds, noble specimens
of which you have had an opportunity of inspecting on this occasion;
and have, I trust, with me, been highly gratified at their weight of
carcass, combined with their fine forms and apparent hardiness of
constitution, as well as the superior fleeces they have now yielded.

My purpose, however, is not to advocate the claims of this or that class
of sheep at the expense of any other, but to present such views for your
consideration as may lead to a more thorough and candid investigation of
the whole matter.

Let me say in continuation of this subject, that in a comparison between
the Cotswold and other long wool varieties, with the