The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-03-17
AGRICULTURAL
INTRODUCTION OF THE ALPACA
INTO THE UNITED STATES.


We have observed with pleasure the in
tention of the American Agricultural Asso-
citation, at the suggestion of r. L. Pell: oil
Ulster county, to introduce the Peruvian
sheep, or Alpaca, into the United States
This animal inhabi,s the slopes, table lands,
and mountains of Peru, Bolivia and Chill,
enduring all the viCissiIudes OF climate
They are found 1000 feet above the level
Of the sea, where they derive subsistence
from the moss, &c. growing upon the rocks,
exposed to all the rigers OF the elements, ana
receiving neither food nor care from the hand
of man. The shepherd only visits them oc-
casionIly; vet such are their gregarlous hao-
its thai the members OF one flock seldom
stray away and mix with another, being
kept in discipline by the older ones, who
know their grounds, and become attached TO
the place of nativity, TO which they return at
night, an astonishing vigilance and saSaclty
in keeping the young ones together, and
free from HARM Hence there is no need OF
branding them. So great is the intelligence
of some leaders OF flock, that much value
ID, on this account attached TO them by their
owner, part OF whose duties they perform
These animals, says William Walton. are
found on the snow-capped mountain CHM
boraZo, 11,670 feet above the sea. In this
tropical region, excessive heat is experience
ed in the month OF August during the day,
and towards the evening the thermometer
regularly falls many degrees below the ireez-
ing point, and the next morning rises from
10 IL degrees above it, all Of which changes
they endure perfectly well. In other parts
OF the Andes Mountains, during hall the
year. snow and hail falls necessarily whilst IN
the higher regions, as before noticed, every
night the thermometer falls many degrees
below freezing point, and the peak conse.
quentIy is covered with an accumulation of
ice The wet season succeeds, when light
ling flashes traverses the clouds in rapid
succession, followed not by showers, but by
torrents Of rain, which alter collecting, Fall
headlong from the rocks, leaving the slopes
almost bare OF SOIL and spreading desolaiion
wherever they pass. Still the Alpaca a
bound and thrive Their teeth are so strong
that they can easily crush the mastlcate
vegetable substances 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 hat country
recommended BY physicians 10 invalid, IN
preference 10 f1wis-for fall derlare thai
their meat is extremely wholesome, and as
palRiahl, a that oi the fat sheep in Cast e
MIR. w. further remarks. that in his time
there were SHAMELESS; in the Peruvian towns
where it was consiantIy sold Th- quality
rf Alpaca meat could not fail to be good,
when the CLEANLINESS of The animal the ma
ture of IFS fuud. and the neat and delicate
manner in which il fceds. are consIdered--
They eat the purest vegetable substances
which they Gull with the greatest care, and
IN hahitual cleanliness surplSs every oiher
quadruped The hardy nature and conien-
tie disposition Of the Alp ica, cause II 10 a
dnpt itself 10 almost any soil or situation.
The best proof Of its hardness Is lis power
10 endure cold damp, hunger and ihIrsi,-
vcsSitu les TO which il is constantly exposed
on iIa native mountains while lis gentcle
and Incile qualities are evin,ed in its gener-
al habits of affection towards It's keeper.
No animal in The universe is less affected
by the changes of climate and food. nor is
there any ore tube found more easily domes-
iicafel than this. Anolher remarkable lea-
turc in the Alpaca is. that il docs not per-
spir-; far which relson and lis peculiar
~ cIeanly habits, the fleece does not require
,-hing b..forc il is taken from the back
Although often confined 10 regions where
'..Saow, piled on snow, each mass appears
The gathering winter Of thousand years"
the Alpaca Is tree from all diseases incidcn-
10 Coiniil0il Siletp- lie ClleSt
by Il calIosity, which comes in contact with
The ground while the animal reposes. and
protects il from catarrhs- and other disorders
disabling the limbs In whatever point of
view we contemplate the properties and hab-
as Of this animal, il will be found a suiiablc
ssck for all our Wesicra AMI Northern
States; waste and Improbable pastures
would su!iice them they would browse on
wild grasses apI hcrbaTe that cattle and
sheep reject.
They will yield from 10 10 Is pounds Of
wool, which is suited for the finest class Of
goods, and calculated TO compete with silk
sNSnosl as fashionable now as that fab
ric, bekng worn by her Majesty, Victoria
In 1884, t:he 4 lPsca wool imported into Eng
land was 800 lbs valued at Is dollars per
quintal-in 1912, 10 July 9th, 100000 lbs,
valued at S25 per quintaI--in 1874, s, 1857, 1874
lbs were imported into Liverpool alone, valu-
ed at $50 quintal. In France the wool is
used instead ef Angora for cashmere and
merinos. Ii has been proved TO be admra-
bly, suited for mixed goods; and so firm is its
reputation now established, that there is eve
ry certainty of a growing demand, 10 meet
which an additional quantity will annually be
requi'el. 1t is supposed that owing 10 The
neglect Of the inhabitants OF Peru there has
been an enormous decline in the number Of
Alpacas, which will eventually render them
difficult 10 be obtained. We would therefore
urge strenuously gentlemen ofwealth-man-
utacturers-merchants- agricultursts-
and in fact all who feel an interest in the wei
fare OF the country. to come forward at once.
and assist the Society in all undertaking so
worthy Of all praise. We understand the
cost of bringing out three hundred will be
SlO,500, delivered IN New York; of which
sum three thousand has already been prom
Used. We sincerely hope those engaged in
an enterprise so noble will rpt allow the mat
ter 10 Gag.
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