Thomas Jefferson Papers
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Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Breeding Merino Sheep, [ca. 13 May 1810]

Enclosure

Notes on Breeding Merino Sheep

from 2. full blooded ewes & their female descendants will proceed annually the following numbers either of rams or ewes separately, or the double in the aggregate.

1st year 1. }
2d 2
3d 2 being  34. rams for distribution
4th 4 34. ewes + the 2. originals to be retained
5th 5
6th 8
7th 12

from 100. common ewes & their female descendants will proceed annually the following number of either rams or ewes separately,1 or the double in the aggregate of ½ breeds, ¾, and full

half blood ¾ blood blood  full blood
1st year  50
2d 50  +  25
3d 50  + 25  +  13
4th 50  + 25  + 12  +   6
5th 50  + 25  + 13  +  6 + 3
6th 50  + 25  + 12  +  6 + 3 + 2
7th 50  + 25  + 13  +  6 + 3 + 2 + 1
350  + 150  + 63  + 24  + 9 + 4 + 1 = 601.
to wit   38. rams full blooded for distribution
 38. ewes full bloodd to be retained
 63. rams } blood } for our friends
for sale or
for the table
 63. ewes
150. rams } ¾ blood
150 ewes
350 rams } ½ blood
350 ewes

MS (DLC: Madison Papers); entirely in TJ’s hand; undated.

1Manuscript: “separtely.”

Index Entries

  • Jefferson, Thomas; Writings; Notes on Breeding Merino Sheep search
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