1343
specimens obtained by reeling after the Arab manner, ofthree varieties. There are other specimens of silks, ob-tained by the same processes, and of a series spun afterthe Piedmontese manner: the collection contains somesamples from the Canary Island , where tliis sort of tradeis progressing very advantageously. These silks are theproduce of the Trivolti'n, crossed with the annual worm,and nourished upon, the leaves of the Mora multicaulis .]
216 RoiG (D. Jose), Barcelona.
Specimen of silk stuff, called “ Christus.”
development—uniform, wisely digested, and pushed for-ward with great energy and perseverance, in the laboursrequired on her public works, on her roads, bridges, linesof communications, enclosures, and irrigations. Foreigncapital might here find employment as varied as it wouldbe lucrative. Spain might derive no inconsiderable ad-vantage, moreover, from a trade in the skins of rabbits andhares, which are exceedingly plentiful throughout herterritory. One exhibitor has sent some specimens per-fectly smooth, and denuded of hair by a mechanical pro-cess.]
217 Amigo y Saury (D. Raymundo), Barcelona —.Manufacturer.
Pieces of silk stuff for umbrellas.
218 Castillo, D. M., Seville —Manufacturer.Specimens of silk stuff.
219 Manufacturing Company of the Guilds ,
• Talavera and Bzcaray —Manufacturers.
Silk and gold stuffs.
220 Calderon (D. Juan Manuel), Granada —
Manufacturer.
Specimens of spun silk.
221 Fiter, J., Barcelona , Manufacturer.
Blonds ; large kerchief of black blonde with flowers ;
mantilla of black blonde. Black and white blonde veils.
222 ‘ Fiter, J., Barcelona.
Dress and shawl of black blonde, with coloured flowers.
223 Margarit and Ena, Barcelona —Manufacturers.Scarf of black lace.
Dress, composed of skirt, body, sleeves, &c.
Veil of white blonde.
Mantilla of black blonde.
Mantilla of satin with black blonde.
224 Municio (D. Vicente), Casla, Segovia .Specimens of wool.
225 Montero (D. Sebastian), Seville .Samples of fine wool, unwashed.
226
Fine wool, from the flocks fed in the Sierra de Andevalo.
. [It is much to be regretted that the collection of spe-Cl Biens of wools sent from Spain should not have been^uch more extensive; and, above all, that such a seriesshould not have been arranged with a view of giving anCurate idea of our wools; a series at once topographicalindustrial, which would have much facilitated theeo mparative study of such specimens with the beautifulremarkable varieties that are obtained in other coun-ts. But the collection is also deficient in specimens ofe hair or pile of the goat, and more particularly of the§oat of Thibet , which we continue to rear and tend withmuch care in various localities. Spain might derive anense profit from the adoption of improvements such^ l e ^manded by the present condition of these branchesb er Rational industry; but these improvements mustits Turned with a total agricultural revolution, which, inalso, must mainly depend on a new system of
228 Barrasa (D. Mariano), Valladolid .
1 White wool, washed. 2 The same, carded. 3 Brownwool, washed. 4 The same, combed.
[“Our Spanish wool,” observes' M. de Sagra, “enjoysgreat celebrity, although this requires, perhaps, to be main-tained by the adoption of more rational principles in therearing of the sheep, the separation of flocks, the choice andcrossing of breeds, the system of folding, depasturing, re-movals, &c. Spain has possessed, for centimes past, thebeautiful Merino breed, which requires.at this day the mostspecial care in their treatment and management $ for theseanimals, although they have lost nothing of their primitivevigour, seem to have gained little or nothing as to anyimprovement in the quality of their fleeces. A fewzealous flock-masters, who are anxious to meet this de-ficiency, have forwarded to the Great Exhibition somesamples of beautiful wools ; but the series is neither soextensive nor so rich as might have been contributed.Long wools, particularly, which are of more or less valuethan some others of Spain , and appropriated for combing,are rare in this collection. There are some wools of thesekinds grown, however, in Egea, province of Saragossa,whereof the sashes and cloaks ( ceintures et couvertures ) ofthat country are made. The qualities of the Segovia aremost renowned. Some of the wool of Casla, and someof the Merino fleeces, with fine and short wool, are ex-tremely valuable. These beautiful specimens are from theflocks of an exhibitor, who has assiduously devoted himselfto the improvement of the merino races in Spain . Hewas the first to introduce, in that country, the customof housing the sheep from the month of December to thebeginning of June. The experiment appears to have beencompletely successful. The wool of the animals which aretreated after tliis manner becomes much more fine ; andthe difference renders itself perceptible in those parts ofthe sheep which have not been covered with this naturalclothing. M. Hernandez has forwarded to the Exhibitionvarious fleeces of his sheep, some of which had been exposedto the direct action of all the atmospheric agencies, and theothers protected under sheds, &c. The difference betweenthe qualities of the respective wools is very great.”
Conjointly with these improvements due to the en-lightened zeal of individuals, we ought to mention thecomplete reform of our ancient legislation, which formerlyaccorded to the proprietors of herds and flocks monstrousprivileges, opposed to agricultural progress and to the per-fection of races. The laws of La Masta are abolished, andthe fiscal regulations established in their stead are favour-able to the introduction of foreign races, which are muchrequired by the Spanish breeders for the purpose of cross-ing their own stocks.]