The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-06-18

~ W. vi
Wool are affected very injuriousy in for
eign markets BY tie u~ncleaa condition.
1t contains too much oil, and yo!k, and
dirt. The sheep are generally washed
with too little care, and run too long hfter
washing before shearing. A large por-
ton of The wool from this cause must pass
through the hands Of those who sor; it and
scour it in soap and wafer, before 1t Is cold
10 the manufacturers.
The wool itself is of superiorEs,aple, &
while upon the sheep is inferior to no 9th
er in the world, of equal grade; and it
may be safely stated, that every pound of
oil, or other worthless substance, will, in
the English markets, deduct from The val
NC OF wool containing it, the price at least
of two pounds of wool. English man.
ufacturers and %stapIers, before purchasing,
open a portion of the h~eeces, aud exam
ine carefully not only the f~neness. but all
so the strength Of the staple and its condi-
ton throughout.
The first important operation in prepar-
ing our fleece wool for export, is TO prop
erIy cleanse it before shearlng. The
sheep should be washed in clear running
water-the water must run freely through
every part of the fletc e, and the wool and
every part of it should be pressed aud
worked with the hands while under the
water, until the dirt and oil are removed,
and the water runs off clear. The shear
ing should Ihen lake place as soon as the
sheep get dry after washing.
Then Gumes the tying up OF the ~t1eeces.
All the loose locks, clippings and tags,
and everything uncIeon, or Of any lnferi-
or quality, and the coarse wool from the
thighs, if there be any, should be whoHy
rejected, and the fleeces tied up firmI y so
as TO keep their shape, and show, as
is customary, the best part OF the fleece on
the outside.
This terminates the wool>grower's part;
but 1 will here remark, that sheep should
be kept as nearly as possible in unlformi,
ly good health and flesh, because every
portion Of the staple or fibre of the wool
which grows while the sheep is very
poor from disease or want of food, has so
little strength as 10 break in working; and
if this weak growth takes place 10 the fall
of the year, it DESTROYS the fleece for many
purposes.
The production of wool in the United
States, until recently, has not equaled the
consumption, but the low price of grain,
and provisions since 1910, has caused a
rapid increase in the number Of Sheep
which under very favorable circumstan-
ces, may double every three years,-and
hey now surpass and are likely stlII fur
Their 10 surpass, all previous estimates
The quantity Of wool became so unwieId-
Iy last year, that the value fell full 90 per
cent, notwithstanding the foreign ship
menis, the abundance Of money. the high
Tariff, and the prosperous condition Of the
manufacturing interest. We now have the
promise of considerably increased qua IL
lies in this years clip, especially from
some of the new States, with money more
10 demand, the protective policy In more
danger, and lower prices OF cloths. II
the home markets we're eolely relied up
on, wool like all other articles, when
produced in excess, would long rule low
in price. An abundan. supply will here
after enable manufacturers 10 purchase at
their leisure, and 10 choose their qualities;
and hencetorlh prices mus: be regulated,
like those Of cotton, in The open markets
Of the worlds. The growing OF wool in
this country is receiving from year 10 year
more and more attention. Mems minds
have been turned in that direction. Hun
dreds OF thousands of sheep. ins.ead of be-
ing slaughtered as formerly, are now an
nuaIIy driven from oder and cultivated
lands, az their increase exceeds their pas
turage, TO newer grounds, wneie they are
distributed 10 emigrants from the older
States accustomed 10 take care OF them, |
and there they form the germs Of locks
growing up in millions. An impetus has
lhus been given which must long %contin-
re, because consistent with the Interests OF
those concerned. The room and induce,
ments are sufficient. In the North West
between the Allegany and the Rocky
Mountains, we have a vast region stretch,
iEg over the extent of empires, where the
sol! is composed mostly of vegetable mould
The accumuIaIing deposit of various herbs
age from year 10 year SINCE the Creation.
Tie earth contains nothing approaching it
in vastness and fertility This deposit is
a mine Of material which may be turned
into wheat, only by planting wheat upon
it, or into wool only by pasIuring sheep
upon it. /; lies open to every hand that
will partake of it. Its position is secure
from the desoIations of wnrs. lis extent
and quantity are such that it must pass to
other generations Of men before exhaust
ed. But like all grea, interior of terrific
ry, the transportation of its products 10 the
ocean, and the markets Of other climates,
is Iaborious, costly, slow. hazardous, and
uncertain. Wool forms the only excep>
ton. Wool, which is worth ten times as
much as iron Of equal weight, may be sent