In the 13th century certain Florentine mer chants were permitted to export from England to Flanders more than 1000 sacks of combing or long wool. In the 14th century the 1000 had extended to 100,000, and that continued during many years ; and in the 15th century Edward IV. permitted his sister Margaret to export annually during her life 2000 rams to Flanders and Holland. There has been a very great improvement in the long-woolled sheep within the last half century, especially that kind called the New Leieesier. The de ficiency of the fleece was formerly objected to in this breed; but the truth seems to be that, with the early breeders, the fleece was a per fectly secondary consideration, and compara tively disregarded. There is now little cause for complaint on this head. The wool has con siderably increased in length, and it has im proved both in fineness and strength of fibre. It averages from 6 to 7 lbs. the fleece, and the fibre varies from 5 to more than 12 inches in length. Like all other British wools, it is applied to a purpose different from that to which it was formerly devoted, and is mostly used in the manufacture of serges and car pets.
The English wool being, from the increased coarseness of the fibre, rejected by the manu facturer in the construction of fine cloths,' recourse was had to foreign wools, and to those chiefly that were derived from the Merino' sheep. As early as the commencement of the
Christian sera, the wool of the Spanish sheep was in great request for the production of the most costly dresses. In less than half a con tury afterwards we find Columella busily em ployed in improving the Spanish sheep, and the effect of his labours remained during the long dark ages that succeeded. The present Merino flocks seem to have been produced by a cross of the native breed with a flock sent from England. [?1Esri.] By degrees the Merino sheep found its way to almost every part of the European Continent, and by care ful management its fleece rapidly increased in fineness and in usefulness. In Australia the cultivation of the Merino sheep and its fleece has proceeded most rapidly and prosperously.
We may here refer to Woof, for further de tails concerning the application of the fleece.
In relation to the supply of sheep from foreign countries, the following have been the imports during the last three years :— 184.8 128,400.
1849 120,248.
1850 137,010.
The sheep sold at Smithfield during the last len or twelve years have varied from 1,500,000 to 1,800,000 annually.