Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-07-04


A WORD OR TWO ON SHEEP RAISING.
BY way of variety we wish TO say a word or two
to our readers upon the raising of sheep, and par
ticularly upon branch of the business which,
though profitable and pleasant abroad has not at
tracted the particular attention of any of our peo-
pie at home. We allude to the raising of the Al
pacca, 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 1899, since when, it 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
succeeding. We need not state what the quality
Of the Alpaca wool is--ior garments made from il
from their great superiority, have attracted the at
tention of all classes We wish in this place, on
y TO acquaint our readers with the fact that ours is
just the country for the raising of these sheep
and further, that profitable business may be brot
home to the United States, both from manufacture
of the wool, and in the raising of the sheep.
The Alpaccas can be brought from their native
home, at an expense of not more than twenty five
dollars-they may be bought for five dollars and
the expense 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 excellent eating. Once here, the
food of these sheep would cost the farmer almost
nothing The coarsest heritage of the mountain
pasture is their favorite food and where other ami
mails would die, they find abundant means of sus-
tanning life. They have for twelve years averaged
about the same fleece. In the Andes the wool OF
the Alpaca averages ten pounds; but in Scotland
for they have been successfully introduced there
some of them have yielded seventeen pounds
and of finer and softer texture, and therefore,
great deal more valuable. This wool is worth from
81 10 to Sc cents pound Good prices and rea-
dy sales are always the reward of those who raise
the Alpaca. Every inducement is therefore pre-
scented to enter upon the Introduction of these
Sheep. The American Farmer says truly, that in
Virginia. North and South Carolina, and Georgia,
there are mountains, which if converted into walks
for the sheep of the Andes, would in a very few
years add million to the income of these States
The luxuriance of the English pasturage is thought
ing 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 hun
dred dollars pair. We say then, to our farmers,
turn your attention to this new branch of business
If you are upon the mountains, turn Shepherds,
and raise sheep. There is no calling more honor
able, and 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 sub
iect. He says: i" | can have no doubt that when
the subject is better understood, the animal itself
better known, and more expeditions mode con-
trived to bring them into Britain we shall have
thousands of them. When known, their docilty,
their temperate habits, their hardness and | may
add their easy keep, will bring them into general
notice. | can answer, without the fear of being
contradcted, that they will thrive and breed in
Scotland, equal, if not SUPERIOR to native black
faced sheep"