Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-12-04
THE ALPACA

We observe that Ex-Governor Paine of yer.
mont, about TO make the experiment of introduce
ing the Alpaca into the State of Vermont. This
is a speculation which we think may probably an
swer, ultimately, though in our country there is
danger of overriding all new things. Witness the
merino fever, which ruined hundreds, and more re-
Gently the morus multicaus, which shipwrecked
thousands. But at the expense of the novices, the
nation generally thrives. Wool is already great
staple, and silk will be also one day or other.
The sheep of the Andes divided into about
five species, varying with their native places and
haunts upon the mountains, and changing their ma
ture of course by domestcation, though not losing
their native characteristics entirely The prin.
clpa kinds, are the Llama, or Auchena, which fur
nishes the generic name, the Guanaco Vicuna, and
Alpaca. The Guanaco and Vicuna inhabit land
$4,000 to $4,000 feet above the sea- and the native
tract OF the other two varieties is below the belt of
snow, about eight to twelve thousand feet above
All these varieties, except the Alpaca, have only a
short fleece. coarse and some of them, like fur of
the seal or the beaver, coat of wool under coarse
hair The name and characteristics of the sure
footed Llama, his long neck, and his value as a
beast of burhen, are familiar TO all readers, from
the school boy up.
:. The Alpaca, similar in form and habits to the
head OF the family, differs from the others in hav-
ing thick, warm and very fine fleece from six to
twelve inches long, The color of the wild animal
is ohener light brown than any other, while the
domestic ones are of all hues, generally however,
white, black, or partcolorcd The black Alpaca
wool, undyed, is as brilliant and permanent as jet
One peculiarly of the Alpaca is, that, unlike the
ordinary sheep, he never perspires, and the wool
being thus naturally free from grease, the sheep
does not require washing before shearing. Nor is
it necessary, in any weather. 10 smear his coat with
tar or grease, to protect him, and thus to render
his wool unfit for light colors. He will live and
thrive, without fold or manger in temperature so
cold that shepherd is glad to keep himself from
freezing with fire. In the severest winter wealth
er this sheep needs no extra care, and to food,
he would live where other sheep would starve.
The vicuna wool is generally light red or brown,
and coarse, and distinguished as red wool in the
custom house returns. The alpaca is worth, when
made into yarn, from 1920 to $3.50 per pound and
next to no doubt of the fact, that this sheep will
thrive in the mountainous parts of the Northern
States, and the experiment is amply worth trying,
if not pushed with tIe mad folly OF speculation
The flesh of the fawn is spoken Of as good but
the Peruvians have less for the animal as food,
than for its other properties. 1t can hardly be ex-
pected that SO hardy an animal will furnish very
juicy mutton; b& the Yankees, when they
begin to find out the Alpacas properties, will soon
let us know every thing that be is good for. We
say success to Ex-Governor Paine in his expert
ment. There is one thing to be hoped from it.
That is, that we may find out what the real alpaca
wool is and what it is like. Some stuff that pur-
ports to be alpaca particularly hosiery, is not par
ticuarly desirable; but the better alpaca fabrics
are at once warm durable, silk-like, and handsome,
philadelphia Saturday Post.