Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-02-19
INTRODUCTION OF THE ALPACA INTO
THE UNITED STATES.

We have observed with pleasure the intention of
the American Agricultural Association. at the sur
geston OF X. i. Pell, of Ulster county, TO intro
duce the Peruvian sheep, or Alpaca. into the Uni
ted States. This animal inhabits the slopes table
lands, and mountains of Peru, Bolivia and Chill
enduring all the yicissitudes of climate. They
are found l2,O0O feet above the level of the sea.
where they derive subsistence from the moss, &c
growing upon the rocks, exposed to all the rigors
OF the clements and receiving neither food nor care
from the hand Of man. The shepherd only visits
them occasionally yet such are their rrerarious
habits, that the members of one flock seldom stray
away and mix with another, being kept in dis
cipllne by the older ones, who know their grounds
and become attached to the place of their nativity
to which they return at night, evincnr an aston
ishng vigilance and sagacity in keeping the vounr
ones together, and free from harm. Hence there
is no need OF branding them. So great is the in
telllgence Of some leaders of flock that much
value Is, on this account, attached to them bv their
owner, part Of whose duties they perform These
animals, says William Walton, are found on the
snow-capped mountain Chimborazo, 1850 feet a.
bove the sea. In this tropical region excessive
heat is experienced in the month of August during
the day. and towards evening the thermomete: req
ularly falls many degrees below the freezing point.
and the next morning rises from 10 u DEGREES
above 1t, all of which changes they endure perfect
y well. In other parts of the Andes Mountains,
during half the year, snow and hail fall ncessant-
~ whilst IN the higher regions as before noticed,
every night the thermometer falls many degrees
below the freezing point, and the peak consequent.
ly Is covered with an accumulation of ice The
wet season succeeds, when lightning flashes tray
erse the clouds in rapid succession, followed not
by showers, but by torrents of rain, which after
collecting, fall headlong from the rocks, leaving
the slopes almost bare of soil, and spreading desc
latlon wherever they pass. Still the Apacas A.
bound and thrive. Their teeth are so strong that
they can easily crush and masticatc vegetable sub
stances too hard and tough for ordinary cattle. In
the formation of their stomach they resemble the
camel, and can undergo extreme hunger and thirst.
Their meat is tender, wholesome and in that coun-
try recommended by physicians to nvalids, in pref
erencc to fowls for all declare that their meat is
extremely wholesome, and as palatabe as that of
fat sheep in CASTLE. Mr.. w. further remarks, that
in his time there were shambes in the Peruvian
towns where it was constantly sold. The quality
of Alpaca meat could not fail to be good when the
cleanliness of the ANIMAL the nature of its food,
and the neat and delicate manner in which it feeds
are considered. They eat the purest vegetable
substances, which they Gull with the greatest care,
and in habitual cleanliness stIrpass every other
quadruped. The hardy nature and contented dis
position OF the Alpaca, cause it to adapt itself to
almost any soh % s4lation The bert prvvf of its
hardness is It's power to endure cold, damp, hun
ger and thirst, vcissitudcs to which it is constant
~ exposed on lis native mountains while its gem
tie ana uoce qualities are evinced in its general
habits of affection towards its keeper
No animal in the universe is less affected by the
changes of climate and food nor is there any one
to be found more easily domciliated than this An
other remarkable feature IN the Alpaca is, that it
does not perspire for which reason and its pecu-
arly Clearly habits, the fleece does not REQUIRE
Washing before it is taken from the back Although
often confined to regions where
Snow piled snow, each mass appears
Inc gathering winter of thousand
the Alpaca is free from all disease incidental TO
common sheep. The chest is guarded by callos-
ity, which comes in contact with the ground while
the animal reposes, and protects it from catarrhs
or other disorders disabling the limbs. In whatev-
er point of view we contemplate the properties and
habits of this ANIMAL it will be found suitable
stock for all our Western and Northern States
waste and Improbable pastures would suffice them
they would browse on wild grasses and heritage
that cattle and sheep reject
They will yield from II to Is pounds of wool.
which is suited for the finest class of goods, and
calculated to compete with silk. 1t is almost as
fashionable now as that fabric, being worn by her
Majesty, Victoria. In 1884, the quantity of Alpa-
ca wool imported into England was 500 lbs val
ued at l6 dollars per quinta--in 1872 to July oh,
100000 lbs, valued at S25 per Qluntal-in 1874
o,657, l64 lbs. imported into Liverpool alone
valued at $50 per quinta. In France the wool is
used instead of Angora for cashmere and mcrinos
IL nus uetH proved 10 DC admirably suited Tor
ed goods; and so firm is its reputation now estab-
ished, that there is every certainty of growing
demand, TO meet which an additional quantity viii
annually be required, 1t is supposed that owing
to the neglect Of the inhabitants of Peru there has
been an enormous decline in the number of alpac-
as, which will eventually render them difficult to
be obtained. We would therefore urge strenuously
gentlemen of wealth-manufacturers
land agrcultursts in fact all who feel an
interest in the welfare of the country to come for
ward at once, and assist the Society in an underta-
king so worthy Of all praise. We understand the
cost ofbrnging out three hundred will be Sl0,5OO,
delivered in New York of which sum three thou
sand has already been promised. We sincerely
hope those engaged in an enterprise so noble will
not allow the matter to hag.-Journaiof Commerce.
From the Maine Cutivator,
ON SEEDING POTATOES
Numerous experiments have been made in plant
ing potatoes on the amount of seed, and the diff