Litchfield enquirer., 1844-09-26

HldSS ot ptlnleO matter OOtrudeQ on the vision 1n this age of wondrOus and extraordinary wisdom, " something new'-actually and palpably nesc- chances to meet the eye, there is a native likeing to look at 1t once more-mentally walk round Il, view its base and summit, if either it have, and if the thing can be said to have outside, knock for an admission, or If one likes walk in without knock ing and learn respecting its essence. Now some- thing quite new appeared in your last paper, over the signature of J. N. Blakesee, of Watertown, equally interesting the wool grower and manufac- turer. The article in the first place. enlightens us respecting the introduction of sheep from Spain and their cross with Gaudaloope kind and their history to the time Of the introduction of the SaXonv sheep. Historical sketches from the biog- raphy of his own buck, seems to be the burthen of the narrative portion of the article. Now cannot and wish not to dispute the lineage of either all of these imported bucks, neither wish to call in question his philosophy respecting blood mixtures, or his opinion about the native imperfection of all animals. think, however, question might be raised on the latter subject, but its discussion would be foreign from the object in view, leave him unmolested thereon.
 I infer from the tenor of the article that he in. ends and this appears his only object, to bring in. to greater repute the bucks from which his flock have been obtained This he attempts by nstitu- ting comparison between Merino and SaXony wool, greatly to the dsparagement of the latter.- The grand defects in Saxony wool are ' dead outer ends' and its want of " feltng properties" All
 
 unquestionably, if he can succeed in finding dupes enough among hls woolgrowing fraternity to effect the sale of his bucks. He need not lavish his theo- ries on intelligent men, for they will fall like seed stony ground. The manufacturer provides himself with no optical glass to inspect the termi- nuS-outer terminus of fibre of wool. No diff culty ever occurred in the felting process" that ever brought either Saxony or Merino wool into disrepute, vet it has been conceded by all woolen manufacturers that Saxony wool was preferable to Merino in all of the different stages of it's manufac- ture It has softness which increases through the whole routine of the manufacturing process to its mpletlon-yields with more readiness in the felt ing mill, and makes 6rmer and more compact cloth, and consequently receives higher and more beautiful finish. The length of it's staple is by no means objectionable, but rather preferred to the long staple of the rank Merino fleece. The Merino wool is "l long staple and has great deal of crimp," he claims. Very true, and wool-buyers are almost invariably deceived in their first pur- chases of it, supposing it to be finer than really Is. When cleansed of its oil 1t is hard and harsh in its feeling and is not easily sublued by working. The opinion of MT. Lawrence, of the Lowell establishment, is alluded to, to subserve Mir. Blakeslee's object. It is well known that MT. t'lakeslee's purchases of wool for Mir. Lawrence, throughout this region, were made so as to favor that species of wool which he grows, and instead of discriminating in favor of the Saxony blooded sheep, he would give as high if not higher prices for that kind of wool which our manufacturers ob- ected 10 on account of the oil and gum peculiar to it. It is not true that Merino wool will make as much cloth according to its weight as will Saxony wool. The weight of Merino wool is considera- tion against it, and could the treasures of those establishments for whom Mr. Blakeslee has been a wool agent speak, they would speak of emptiness and leanness. If MT. Lawrence entertains the opinion that Mir. Blakeslee gives for him, why has he been discontinued as an agent? If the weight of Merino wool is no objection to it, why has MT. Blakeslee been obliged to sustain discounts varying from 10 to 9 per cent on the wool he has sold at Lowell. If not noaO, farmers will ultimately re- gret that they have raised from bucks so high in MT. Blakeslee's repute. Saxony wool is destined to be held in high repute among manufacturers, for experience has taught them that the oil and gum of the Merino is worth notbing. The wool must De cleansed thoroughly before it can be manufac- ured proftably, and oil and gum is no part of the ro0l It is true, again, that wool of any kind s not so good for manufacturing as old, and hence Mr. Eakeslees reasoning on that part of his sub- ect, whereby he thinks he has gained point in favor of his wool, is wisdom too wise for human application. M NuFAcTuRER.
 Woodbury, Sept 17th 1S44.