Establishes his flock of sheep John Macarthur (wool pioneer)

an australian stamp commemorating centenary of death of macarthur in 1934

at elizabeth farm in 1794 began first experiments in improving wool growth crossing hair-bearing bengal ewes india irish wool rams.

crossing 2 breeds, had satisfaction see lambs of indian ewes bear mingled fleece of hair , wool-this circumstance originated idea of producing fine wool in new south wales.

in 1796 2 ships dispatched dutch cape colony governor hunter sydney obtain supplies colony. 2 commanders, being friends of macarthur, requested him procure sheep buy. happy coincidence 2 captains able execute macarthur s commission far better had hoped. king of spain had presented dutch government of finest pure merino sheep jealously guarded escurial flocks, once owned king philip ii. these sheep sent dutch cape colony under care of scottish gentleman, died shortly afterwards. widow had endless disputes dutch government, and, end dissension, sheep ordered sold. number of them purchased captains , duly delivered macarthur, merino sheep, including 3 rams, bought several landowners, including samuel marsden.

macarthur visited england in 1801, taking specimens of pure merino wool, , of best of crossbred, , submitted them committee of manufacturers reported merino equal spanish wool, , crossbred of considerable value. encouraged him purchase rams , ewe royal flock @ kew.

by 1801, macarthur largest sheep rearer in colony, although not landowner have experimented breeding of fine-wooled sheep. late july 1800, there no evidence of prophetic word macarthur future of spanish wool: @ time considering selling entire flock.

on way england, trial on duel colonel paterson, macarthur s ship had put in repairs in indonesia, met , offered timely advice young , inexperienced british resident @ amboyna, sir robert farquhar, son of physician in ordinary prince of wales, sir walter farquhar. sir walter became important patron , friend macarthur. example, when william davidson, later macarthur s business partner in new south wales, applied land next macarthur s holdings @ parramatta, carried him letter of introduction announcing royal connections nephew sir walter farquhar.

while in london, macarthur lobbied extensively in support of interests in new south wales. colonial secretary, lord camden, highly supportive , backed macarthur grant of 10,000 acres (40 km²) of choosing. sir joseph banks, however, not impressed either macarthur or commercial venture. when macarthur failed conceal low opinion of banks, banks became strong opponent of plan , had grant halved.

when arrived in sydney in 1805 macarthur further antagonised local authorities claiming 5,000 acres (20 km²) in cowpastures. prime grazing land, supplied water nepean river, , reserved governor exclusively colony s cattle herds. both governors king , bligh objected , wanted grant moved, colonial office wrote affirming macarthur s right land. macarthur named camden park after patron. bligh turned down macarthur s request remaining 5000 acres (20 km²) after had begun exporting wool england. bligh firmly opposed macarthur s venture, according evatt, not because objected fine wool industry, because believed first preference should given agriculture . reported later macarthur, bligh said him in conversation @ government house; have sheep, sir? have cattle. have such flocks of sheep , such herds of cattle no man ever heard of before? no, sir! .