The committee on wool, appointed by the assembly, furnished me with specimens of wool, from the different fleeces exhibited; and I flatter myself I have a collection which may prove a standard to compare other wool by.

The following questions were submitted to the committee on breeding sheep. The committee made a full report of their Transactions to be printed. I was entitled, as a member, to a copy, but the report was not printed before I left Germany: I requested our worthy Consul of Leipsic, Dr. Flügel, who is indefatigable in assisting citizens from the United States in every way, when he can be serviceable to them, to send me my copy to this country. He did so, but the vessel, the "Stephanie," was wrecked, and I was deprived of that valuable document, I shall try to procure another copy and I shall be happy to submit to the Commissioner of Patents, the translation of the most important facts.

Questions on the Breeding of Sheep.--1. What experiments have lately been made with reference to the advantages or disadvantages of successive in-breeding of the highly improved flocks of sheep? is the periodical stirring of the blood always necessary, if no hereditary defects require it?

2. Is a prudent driving of lambs on healthy pastures, that is on those laid down to grass, to be preferred to foddering in stalls? in the summer stall foddering of lambs, especially of summer lambs, can we soon pass on to green foddering?

3. Can young lambs, without injury to their health, be foddered with raw potatoes, or with turnips? at what age? and are potatoes and turnips only proper up to a certain state of preservation?

4. What proportion can properly be established in the feeding of sheep, between hay and potato fodder, or generally between dry and juicy fodder? 5. Is it for the bodily health of the animal and for the higher value of the wool, proper to shear the lambs born in the months of May or June, in the month of October?

6. Has science or empiricism more progress in the healing of the disease? (traberkrankheit.)

7. Is the vertigo of sheep really homopathically healed by doses of belladonna?

8. (a) Has the Prey's method of washing wool in its use of cold water succeeded generally, and has it especially been approved in wool with close fat and hardly dissolved?

(b) What is the most suitable method of using this means, and what degree of temperature is required, to make it effectual?

(c) After this method does the wool retain its lustre and a soft feel?

(d) Is there no noticeable diminution of the weight of wool after the same?

(e) Do not the sheep become much weakened by this method?

(f) Is the method easily undergone by the use of the ground root of the saponaria alba?

(g) May not the suponaria alba be cultivated with success in Germany, and on what kinds of soils?

9. Has not the arcanum further recommended by Prey's, which is to be mixed the evening before the shearing with the fodder of the sheep, to produce a mild sweat, and by means of the same an increased weight per cent.,

a higher lustre and a peculiarly agreeable feel of the woo-been approved in its use?

10. What properties must a sheep's wool possess in order to be acknow ledged as the most valuable product?

11. May all the different forms under which the wool hair on the bodies of sheep presents itself, according to experiments hitherto, be classified in determined categories and gradations and thus be accurately distinguished?

12. Is there some one under these various forms of wool hair which is exclusively the standard for the most valuable character of wool?

13. Has the form of the wool hair always the same influence on the formation of the staple? and is it, for example, always connected with an irregular curl of the wool hair?

14. How may all possible forms of the staple he distinctly named according to their difference and which of them produces the most valuable wool? 15. How is the figure of a normal (standard) sheep for card wool, and how for comb wool to be represented?

16. What parts of the body of sheep require, in reference to the difference of wool to be met with in the standard, a particular name?

17. How must the wool be circumstanced or the different critical parts of the body of the sheep, when the animal is valuable for a distinguished breeder?

18. In what way does the wool after washing change in comparison with the aspect it presented to the eye before washing?

19. As in the consideration of the foregoing questions, not only all the properties of wool as fineness, softness, &c., but also all the forms of the wool hair, as regular, or highly curled, &c.-and not less all the formations of staple and all the parts of the body of the sheep-are brought into discussion, at the same time an occasion is presented to unite therewith a definite terminology as well of the names here used as of others elsewhere. A memoir which may serve in the Transactions for the foundation of the establishment of such a terminology will be prefixed to the article on the breeding of sheep.

II.-Historical Sketch of Silesian Wool Culture.

Prussian Silesia, even before the introduction of merinos, always produced a wool of a superior quality and which commanded a higher price than that of neighboring countries; but at that time the number of sheep were not very great, because the baronial estates had the exclusive right of keeping sheep, and pasturing them upon the property of the peasantry. At some of the estates, not one-fourth of the number they have at present were kept. About 100 years ago all Silesia had not one-fourth of the present number, which amounts to two and a half million. A Prussian cwt. of wool (nearly the same as the English) cost about $30, which at that period was a high price when we consider the higher value of silver; the average price of all the qualities of the present period amounts to $52 per cwt The increased revenue from wool which the Prussian province of Silesia now enjoys can be easily calculated from the above data, but this increase of revenue only effected by the introduction of merino sheep. The first ones were brought there by Count Eckersdorf, who at an early period established a merino stock farm, for which Frederick the Great made him a present of a Spanish ram and a few ewes. In 1801 Count Haugwitz, then

minister of state, obtained from William the Third, of Prussia, the best ram and ewes of a small flock, which were imported direct from Spain; these few merinos formed the stock from which Silesia improved its flocks. The merino sheep of both these noblemen were pretty nearly of the same blood-large, vigorous animals, with a strong, elastic wool.

Although the blood was thorough, and the character of the wool good, the number with which they commenced was too limited to produce a rapid progress in the increase and improvement of the flocks. The shepherds entrusted with them were ignorant in regard to a better mode of treatment, and those few precious animals were treated like the native breed, left to themselves and nature. The few samples still existing from these first merinos, show, when compared with wool of the best breed of the present period, how greatly the wool has been since improved, and how much the price of merino wool has been diminished. Since that time, the wool which then cost 165 Prussian thalers per cwt., would not at present bring 90 thalers.

The estate holders of Silesia crossed, with great success, their native flocks by rams of these merino flocks, and the fact that rams with strong, elastic wool, and with a well-developed body, produce a more profitable breed, and in shorter time than those delicate animals, with very thin and soft wool, was fully proved. The wool grower of Silesia became also acquainted with the merinos of Saxony; they procured rams and ewes from these; but they had a different character from the Silesian; the wool was softer, and the sheep of a more delicate form and less in size; Silesia then had two distinct breeds—those of the flocks furnished by the King of Prussia, with a strong, elastic wool, and large, strong body, and the Saxon breed of small size, and with thin and soft wool. At that time the knowledge in wool was exceedingly limited. Very little attention was paid, also, to the form of the sheep; the only object was to obtain pure Spanish blood.

The progressive demand for merino wool, and the success in breeding, induced all the estate holders to improve their native flocks. Saxony was the only country where merinos could be got to supply the numerous applicants, and the flocks of the elector and those of the private estates of Klipphausen and Rocheburg furnished most of the imported animals. Those who had less means bought rams of a cross breed of native sheep and merinos, and in a short time few of the original country sheep could be seen. The improvement was principally carried on with rams of mixed blood, and with a very limited knowledge in breeding. It is a wonder that Silesia has arrived to that superior kind of wool which it now possesses. The different demands of the manufacturers, in regard to the nature of the wool, according to the articles they intended to produce from it, in the beginning misled some of the wool growers, and induced them to make changes, and to increase the fineness of the fleeces, which gave it a tendency to twoist and felt; but it was only in a few flocks, and if such a fault crept into a breed, the original thorough flock always offered a sure remedy. Gradually the Silesian wool growers brought their wool to a quality which answered all the demands of the manufacturers in cloth and various new styles of woollen stuffs, and attracted the buyers from all countries to supply their wants.

The Silesian wool passed through different stages, in consequence of inexperience, till it came to the state of perfection just mentioned.

From 1785 to 1805 was the period when the first Spanish merinos were

Ex. Doc. No. 54.

introduced, and when the wool growers were entirely ignorant in the knowledge of wool and management of merinos.

From 1805 to 1815 was the period when the estate holders of Silesia saw the advantage of raising them, and when the difference of merino and common wool began to be more understood; when in the formation of the staple, a great number of curves of the merino wool hair were considered essential characters for fineness. At that period the wool growers travelled for information, and brought merinos from Saxony into Silesia.

From 1815 to 1825 was the third stage of the Silesian wool culture. The great desire then was extreme fineness; they overlooked many other very valuable qualities of the wool, and the large size and vigor of the animals. The high price of $126 per cwt. caused this error. With the highest degree of fineness, great softness had to be combined; the Saxon breed, which was called electoral, combined these qualities. Such sheep were employed in crossing; consequently the finest Silesian consisted of thin fleeced, delicate animals, which, besides a deficiency in wool, were liable to all sorts of diseases.

The period from 1825 to 1830 may be called the test for the German wool growers, and particularly for the Silesian. In that period the price of wool sunk exceedingly low, and it appeared as if England had taken leave forever of the German wool market, and that she supplied herself from her colonies sufficiently for her wants.

Many were affrighted and began to diminish their flocks, and changed their whole system of farming. It produced a crisis, and their attention was principally directed to an increase of wool in the fleece, to compensate for the loss sustained in the prices. This crisis operated very beneficially upon the whole system of breeding merinos; the wool growers, instead of aiming at the highest degree of fineness, had now a greater quantity of wool in view. This was the commencement of a system which developed itself to much more advantage afterwards.

Finally came the fifth stage and the present state of the Silesian wool growing systems, which has for its object to produce not only the finest and softest wool, but in great quantity; and besides a high degree of softness and elasticity and nerve is not overlooked, whereby not only the value of wool, but the weight and volume also are enhanced, and these precious qualities are all combined in the flock of Prince Lichnowsky, and in such flocks as have been reared from this famous breed.

During these various periods the Silesian wool growers have obtained great experience in breeding merinos, and in the nature and character of wool. Societies of wool growers were formed, in the meetings of which the most important questions were discussed, experience and facts made known, and they educated superintendents and shepherds for this branch of husbandry-all which has given them an advantage over other countries, and which it will be difficult to take from them. Spain never will be able to obtain the golden fleece again, and other countries may strive for ever, and perhaps Silesia will be always in the advance. In the meantime the improvements of the farms were not neglected; pastures were sown with grass and clover, and large quantities of fodder were housed for the winter, which amply supplied the flocks with food. Through a proper culture of pasture land they were able not only to furnish a more abundant food, but a more healthy one. They used only the seed of such plants as perfectly

agreed with the nature of sheep; the comparatively few cases of disease sufficiently prove this.

Another advantage was gained by this system adopted of improving the pasture land; the wool developed itself more perfectly, and it is an established fact, that the better and more regularly the sheep are fed and taken care of, the more uniform and healthy the wool becomes, and its superior quali ties remain without deterioration.

Silesia can no longer increase its number of sheep; its whole farming system has been improved with a view of keeping the greatest number of sheep possible under any circumstances. In regard to quality there is yet a great deal to be done in Silesia, notwithstanding its superiority over other countries in that respect. The above mentioned desirable qualities of wool which some flocks possess, are not to be found in all of them. There is

ut one-tenth of the whole number which comes under this superior class, the remaining nine-tenths of Silesian flocks are in different stages of improvement, and to eradicate the various faults of wool from these flocks, and bring it to what is called an even character, will be the work of years.

The stables for sheep, with few exceptions, are very spacious and well suited for the object. All the necessary implements and utensils are provided. Order and cleanliness exist every where. Fodder is plenty and stored away with care. Upon the lofts there is great order as to the way, how and when, the different kinds of fodder are to be given, and properly measured out. The shepherds, although not yet arrived to that degree of perfection which they should possess are better than any in Europe.

What great attention is here paid to the sheep during the period of coupling! It takes place in January, and summer lambs are considered the most advantageous. The superior qualities of the Silesian wool which is so much praised by the purchasers, are to be ascribed to the change of having the lambs in summer instead of winter. The choice of rams is made with al the acquired experience of the intelligent wool grower himself; and if he thinks himself wanting in the necessary knowledge, he employs others who have the best reputation and make it a regular business. In all the stables the temperature is regulated by means of thermometers; because the Silesian wool grower knows, that a regulated temperature aids in the perfect development of the wool hair. The flocks are yearly thoroughly examined, and those assorted into a class or classes which have the least inheritable faults.

The flocks are either under the immediate superintendency of the proprietors themselves or of directors, who are educated agriculturists, and who have acquired a fondness for this branch, zealous to make such improvements as will bring the flock to perfection. Most of them besides the knowledge of feeding and of the general treatment of merinos, have a thorough knowledge of wool, which can only be gained by long practice and by comparison of the best kinds.

The sheep-master (schafmeister) has the management of a certain number of flocks,, and under him stands the shepherd, who executes the orders of this employer; and on him depends nearly every thing in regard to the careful treatment in feeding; keeping them in suitable grounds during rainy weather, watching them carefully in respect to health; in short upor him rests the principal success of the flocks. Such sheep-masters are ex ceedingly rare; and the wool growers of Poland, Russia and Hungary, offe high salaries to induce the Silesian sheep-masters to take charge of their flocks, Much depends, also upon the shepherds; they are exclusively brought up