the sheep alluded to have undergone, though it cannot reasonably be denied that their improvement is in a great degree the

The speciality, so to speak, of the leading type of the Vermont

sheep, is the production of a large quantity of wool in proportion to weight of carcass-the value of the fleece being relatively

high. As affording evidence of the degree in which this property has been acquired, it may be mentioned that a premium offered for sheep producing the greatest quantity of wool in proportion to the weight of carcass, to be shown at the International Exhibition, in Hamburg, in 1863, was taken by George Campbell, of West Westminster, Vermont. The competing class numbered upwards of six hundred sheep, from different countries. After the awards had been made, Mr. Campbell sold the six rams and six ewes, which he took to the Exhibition, to Count Scherr Thoss-an eminent wool-grower of Upper Silesia-for a sum equal to $5,000 in gold,

These sheep have now attained certain peculiar characteristics to such a degree that there seems to be no impropriety in bestowing on them a distinguishing name. It is well known that the so-called Saxon, Silesian, and French Merinos are only modifications of the Spanish Merino, and the same reasons. which would permit the application of particular names to these families, might be urged with at least equal force in favor of the American. As to the name to be adopted, none seems to be more appropriate than that unanimously agreed on by the New England Wool Growers' Associati n, at a late meeting, viz: "Improved American Merino."

Portraits of two specimens of the Improved American Merino,, are herewith presented. The ram, Gold-Drop, bred by, and the property of Hon. Edwin Hammond, of Middlebury, Vt., was dropped in 1861. He was got by California out of Old Queen. California was by Sweepstakes, out of Beauty 1st. Old Queen was by Long Wool, out of Old Queen's Dam. Sweepstakes was by Little Wrinkly, out of Light-Colored Ewe 3d.. Long Wool was by Old Greasy, out of The Lawrence Ewe. Old Queen's Dam was by Old Black, out of First Choice of Old Ewes, &c., &c.,-tracing back on both sides to the Humphrey's importation. Mr. Hammond states that the weight of GoldDrop's fleece in 1864, of one year's growth, was 24 lbs. 12 oz.,, unwashed. The weight of his body is not stated. He is not a large sheep, however, as the writer can say from

having ex- ·

amined him. Probably his weight is rather under the average of that of the Merino breed. The figure gives a very good sideview of him. He is short-legged, and quite compact. His wool, with the exception of that on the larger wrinkles of the neck, is quite even, remarkably thick, densely covering almost every part of the body, not gummy, but pretty oily, and of the lightorange color, which Mr. Hammond prefers. The staple is about two inches in length, very uniform in size from one end to the other, and fine for what is called Spanish Merino-running, according to very accurate measurements by Prof. Miles, of the Michigan State Agricultural College, 1186 fibres to the inch-good Saxon wool measuring 1295. *

The value of Gold-Drop as a sire has scarcely been fully proved, comparatively few of his progeny having reached an age at which their properties may be considered developed. If he transmits his leading characteristics with the same uniformity and strength as similar qualities were transmitted by his noted progenitor, Sweepstakes, he will probably eclipse even the wide-spread fame of the latter, as, in a comparison of the two, a summary of the points of Gold-Drop would reach the highest figures in the aggregate. In a letter to the writer, dated January 23, 1865, Mr. Hammond states that he had rerefused an offer of $10,000 for Gold-Drop, and that he had sold a "ram lamb," got by him, for $5,000.

The figure of the ewe accompanying this article, is that of one bred and owned by Hon. Wm. R. Sanford, of Orwell, Vt. The drawing was taken when she was a yearling. Mr. Sanford states that she was got by his ram Comet, whose sire was California, the sire of Mr. Hammond's Gold-Drop. Comet was dropped in 1861. His first fleece weighed 10 lbs., his second, 22 lbs. 8 oz., his third, 24 lbs. 8 oz. Mr. Sanford states that previous to 1864, he charged for Comet's services $5 per ewe for the season; that for 1864 he charged $10 per ewe, and that he had as much business as he wished him to do at these rates. The ewe, Mr. Sanford states, is a twin sister to one of two rams which he sold to Mr. Campbell, and which Mr. C. took to

the Hamburgh Exhibition. Her pedigree traces back to the Humphrey's stock.

Mr. Sanford's flock has long had the reputation of being one of the best in Vermont. An incident somewhat illustrating the high estimation in which his sheep are held may not inappropriately be related here. At the show of the Vermont State Agricultural Society in 1863, Mr. Sanford exhibited twenty-three yearling ewes, bred by himself While Mr. S was engaged in showing these sheep to the writer of this article, some gentlemen who came to the pen inquired at what price some of the lot could be bought, to which Mr. S. replied that they were not for sale. A price being insisted on, how

ever, Mr. S said he would not take $500 per head for any of them. The statement was evidently received with surprise by some of the bystanders. Eight months afterwards, or in May, 1864, that lot of twenty-three sheep was sold by Mr. Sanford to T. D. Barton, of Vergennes, Vermont, for upwards of $600 per head.

Various specimens from some of the best flocks of Vermont, have been introduced into Michigan, and they have been tried here sufficiently to justify the conclusion that the soil, climate, and general conditions by which they are surrounded, are highly favorable to the health of the sheep and to the character of their wool. Hon. Charles Rich, of Lapeer, has kept for several years, on his farm, a flock derived from that of his father, the late Hon. Chas. Rich, of Shoreham, Vt., long celebrated as one of the best flocks in that State. These sheep have done well here, and Mr. R.'s rams have done much for the improvement of other flocks. Within a few years there has been a considerable infusion of the blood of rams from Vermont among the flocks of Michigan, resulting generally in improvement, though in a much less degree, probably, than might have been effected had the stock introduced been in all respects the best which might have been procured. The sooner farmers learn that in buying sheep, as well as in buying fruit trees, it is better to deal with well known and responsible parties, the better it will be for their interest.