By: Sara B. Bearss

Sara B. Bearss — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:27:23 +0000

Other Virginians rejected the “foreign” Merino and hoped to promote native American breeds. Deeply concerned about American dependency on foreign manufactures, George Washington Parke Custis (1781-1857) promoted commercial independence through agricultural reform and the improvement of domestic varieties of livestock. The Library has a copy of his “Address to the People of the United States, on the Importance of Encouraging Agriculture and Domestic Manufactures” (1808), which describes his vision. Custis developed two breeds of sheep, the Arlington Improved and the Smith’s Island, also noted for the flavor of its mutton. From 1805 through 1812 he held annual sheep shearings, which evolved into full-scale agricultural fairs offering premiums for the best blankets, stockings, and yarn and to the family relying the least on imported material.

Comments on: “Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!”

By: Sara B. Bearss