The rest of the income is from mutton, which the other dual purpose breeds provide in greater quantities.
    The national average consumption of lamb and mutton is 4 1/2  pounds per person. But some northeastern states have an annual consumption rate of as high as 12 pounds per person. Because of this heavy regional demand for lamb and mutton, the dual purpose breeds have taken over the New England farm region.
    It is only with the development of a specialized market for merino wool, for the use of hobbists who are reviving the arts of Spinning and looming that the merino is competitive with the meat-type breeds in this area.

IMPROVED AGRICULTURE LEADS TO NEW INDUSTRY

    With the introduction of the improved sheep breed in the area, the farmers of the Valley region provided a large quantity of high quality fleece. Colonel Humphreys was not satisfied to have simply started an improved agriculture - he put his efforts into developing a woolen industry. Humphreys explained his desire to start the industry was both for the benefit of the area farmers and for the young nation, who up until that time had been dependent on foreign nations for its wool supplies.
    The date for the establishment of Humphreys' mill has been variously set - but historians generally place the date at between 1808 and 1810. Perhaps the use of two different names for Humphreys' enterprises has added to the confusion of historians on this matter. The business at Humphreysville was originally carried under the name of "T. Vose and Company." Vose had married a niece of Colonel Humphreys. The Colonel provided all the capital for the project and shared with several nephews the profits. In 1810 the partnership was dissolved and by an act of the Legislature a corporation, The Humphreysville Manufacturing Company, was formed with the same partners.
    Mrs. Ann S. Stephens, a well-known writer in her day, was the daughter of the plant superintendent - John Winterbotham. She wrote of the Colonel as follows:
    "Colonel Humphreys took great interest in the discipline and education of the apprentice boys attached to the factory. Seventy-three of these boys were indentured, I have been