Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-08-16
The AIpaca and Wool Groring.

In this age of Improvement ii is we'll for the
American people to avail themselves of every a.
vantage, by which the United States can be pa-
ced on a footing with other countries. As it has
been acknowledged on all sides, that America can
cope with Europe in manufactures TO some eH-
tent, why should not try TO excel her in
producing the raw material!
Wool-growing is an important matter TO the
manufacturer of all countries; and III no part OF
the world are more advantages to he brought In
to use, than in the United States. We can raise
the finest kind of wool here-that has been proved
Let then, try To- induce the Agriculturailst TO
a diversifyIng policy even in this matter Inc
following, in regard 10 an animal called Alpaca,
which produces the richest kind OF wool Tor ma
nufacturing purposes, deserves attention. We
find il in the Baltimore American, which paper
recommends it To the farmers of Maryland, to
make an experiment.; and we adopt the language
rs also applicable To Virginia.
"THE ALPAcA-ITs INTRODUCTION INTO THIS COUNTRY
An intelligent agriculurs OF Alabama, writing IN the Mo-
bile Register urges the introduction Of the Alpaca into the
United States, with much show OF reason The wool OF
this ANIMAL especially the finer qualities Is becoming an
important article in manufactures. IL is wrought into
beautiful fabrics, end must doubtless continue to grow
more and more into demand. The importaons into Ly
creased since the article became known. In 1885,
cording the statistics Of the Mobile Register the
imported above 5000 bales; in 1886. 10000, in
1897, it reached 1880; IN ISIS was 1876; in 1889 II
amounted TO 81 500 bales-a quantity which
ceeded in the following year.
Various attempts have been made to domesticnte the
animal in Engand-and with toierable success But the
humid climate and rich pastures OF England do appear
to suit the Alpaca. IL IL hardy animal aud loves
browse the grass of mountain tops. The
respondent of tn. Register says:
Il gentlemen
been years residents Of Peru, passed through State
and did not fail 10 their sstonishmept that
possession of droves OF this animal, and also that
did appear to be known to that elevated pine hills
and ridges presented the dry soil and atmosphere
al I. this animal, aud further that the grass and heritage
OF these pine forest elevations precisely suited 10 the
constitution of the Alpaca and which their health and
beautiful fleece dependsthnse pine woods affordnR su
cient food for them during the year. Those gentlemen
evidently OF good Information, loudly protested against
artificial or rch pastures common. aud admired much
the grass and heritage Of pine woods They
further stated that decided trial had determined IN Peru the
osltve effect OF rich pastures the wool Of this
and that preserve the highest degree its silky fine
eblty, be natural grass aud herb1ge that
supports the animal That food every thing the pro-
ducton Of hair wool by remains for dscoye
ry, and reasoning from analogy and information, would
appear that the hitherto yalueless pine woods hills and
ridges Of section Of the GARTH Just calculated for
subsistence OF animal, aud the production Of material
standing wiiOuta rIyal in the vabe nanuiac
tuesan animal that appears formed 70 spbss food
scan and rough that almost oil others onifhed would
PERISH How long have VIC rode over those pine forests
hills and ridges, Tar removed from water courses reg
ting in the plenuudo OF our ignorance that they
made ia vain"
From lair estimates and experiments il is asoersined
that the Alpaca bo put ship board at five dollars
per head aud landed Mobile for less than twenty ire
qurng other precauton regards tho voyage than
moderate supply Of roots, varieties Of the potato, 10 give
occasionally along with dry food From shipments made
10 England they bear a voyage we'll and this very
change Of locality from the top Vi the Andes, where they
cliffs and valleys, to tic confinement Of "
soa voyage shows the hardy constitutional einpcfs.
with which llis animal - made"
II may be worth while for some Of our Maryland ngr
cUunsis their attention this anina There are
lands enough m tho State which will afford rich
pasture The flesh Of the Alpaca said be good espe.
caly when young. IN colour white others quite
black and occasionally pnrii- cooured. We DO
not know that my hsye been introduced into tho United
States unless perhaps as curiOsiues