Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-06-05
a G. u lou IA ggWRISo
SHEEP RAISING.


The following article, from the New Yor
Express, relates to subject of great intere
10 the people of some parts of Virginia: N
country in the world is better adapted to shee
raising than the mountainous region of thi
State. There are thousands of acres in Westeri
Virginia which can be turned to no other pur
pose. profi,ably. The breed OF sheep, recon-
mendcd by the Express, appears to be pectI-
! larly adapted TO that region and it would
be well worth the trouble and expense of some
opulent farmer to introduce the .alpaccas in
the mountains of Virginia. When wool grow
ing, great source Of wealth, shall meet with
the attention il deserves in this State, another
will be added TO the reasons which should
induce the people of Virginia to encourage
the tariff policy. II possesses the great adj
vantage that it requires very small invest
ment Of capital, and turns TO account vast
extent Of country, which would, otherwise, be
barren and Improbable Times.
"A WORD OR TWO ON SHEEP RAIsING.-By
way OF variety we wish 10 say word or two
10 our readers upon the raising of sheep, and
particularly upon branch of the business
which, though profitable and pleasant abroad;
has not attracted the particular attention of
any Of our people at home. We allude TO the
raising of the Alpaca, or Peruvian Sheep; and
first we wish to state some facts connected
with this business in Europe. Alpaca wool
was first introduced into Great Britain in 1882,
since when, ii is supposed, more than twelve
millions of pounds have been used in British
manufactures. Two millions of pounds were
imported in 1913, and more the year succeed
ing. We need not state what the quality of
the Alpaca wool is, for garments made from
it, from their great superiority, have attracted
the attention of all classes. We wish, in this
place, only to acquaint our readers with tho
fact that ours is just the country for the rails
ing of these sheep,-and further, that profit
able business may be brought home TO the
United States, both from manufacture Of the
wool and in the raising of the sheep. as.
"The Alpaccas can be brought from their
native home at an expense of not more than
twenty-five dolars-they may be bought for
five dollars, and the expenses Of transportation
would not exceed fifteen or twenty dollars
Even their flesh is an article of value, as they
weigh from $50 to 200 pounds, and most cS-
cellent eating. Once here, the food Of these
sheep would cost the farmer almost nothing.
The coarsest heritage of the mountain past
ure is their iavorite food, and where other
animals would die they find abundant means
of sustaining life. They have fer IL years
averaged about the same fleece. In the Andes
the wool OF the Alpaca averages ten pounds,
but in Scotland, for they have been SUCCESS
fully introduced there, some of them have
yielded seventeen pounds and Of a finer and
softer texture, and therefore great deal more
valuable. This wool is worth from 81 l-2 to
So cents pound. Good prices and ready
sales are always the reward of those who
raise the Alpaca. Every inducement is, there
fore presented TO enter upon the introduction
OF these Sheep. The American Farmer says
truly that in Virginia, North and South Caro-
lima, and Georgia, there are mountains enough,
if converted into walks for the sheep of the
Andes, as would in a very few years add a
million 10 the income of these States, The
luxuriance of the English pasturage is thought
TO have been the only difficulty in the way
of raising these sheep in England but they
have been introduced there and sold by the
Earl of Derby, near Liverpool, we are told
as high as two hundred dollars pair. We
say, then, 10 our farmers, turn yonr attenriot.
to this new branch Of business. If you are
upon the mountains, turn shepherds, and raise
sheep. There is no calling more honorable
ana but few kinds of labor more agreeable;
We quote, in conclusion, good word said Of
the Alpaca by Mr.. Stirling, of Glasgow,
who, we are told, is well qualified to speak
upon this subject He says, Il can have no
doubt that when the subject is better under
stood, the animal itself better known, and e
more expeditions mode contrived TO bring
them into Britain, we shall have thousands OF
them. When known, their docility, their
temperate habits, their hardness, and | NAV
add their easy keep, will bring them into gen.
eral notice. can answer, without the fear
of being contradicted, :hat they will thrive
and breed III Scotland equal, if not superior 10
our native black face Sheep"