Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-07-01
Agricultural
To the Farmers and Wool Grow
ers of New-York.
ALBANY, May 25, l947.

Gsbed several letters which ! had the
honor TO address to ]. M. SHERWOOD,
ESQ. the then President of the N. Y. S.
Agricultural Society, in relation to the
wool trade. These letters were very
coldly received in certain quarters Even
the Agricultural papers, although CO.
pies were furnished them,) with the ex-
ception of the Genesee Farmer, have not
deemed the letters worthy of publication
in their columns, or even worthy of no.
tice although some of the most eminent
aericuluralsts in the state have express
sed their decided appreciation of the
principles therein advocated.
Under these inauspicious circumstan-
ces, had placed in my hands the do
ings of Wool Growers Convention held
in Steubenvilc, Ohio, and attended by
wool growers from the States of Penn
sylvania and Virginia and I was alike
gratifed and surprised to find that these
letters were read before that Convention,
and have by them been reprinted and
extensively circulated.
1t was also refreshing to find that in
the State of Vermont the letters had
been widely distributed, and that the
Addison County Agricultural Society
were induced to call u convention of
wool growers for the purpose of consid-
ing the propriety of establishing a WOOL
depot in that section of the country.
1t was matter of congrathlation to
learn that the doings Of both Conven-
tons were republished in Massachusetts,
and met with the approval Of both WOOL
growers and manufacturers in that en-
lghtened and shrewd community,
acknowledge the extreme pleasure
it has given me to find that these letters,
in the opinions of conventions we'll quail
flied to Judge, and to whom | was to-
tai stranger, were not wholly devoid OF
merit.
But it is not because this is so, nor
because it gives me the opportunity of
gratifying the spirit of self-adulation that
address myself to you and again at
tempt to urge upon your notice "a mat
ter, however interesting to me, that has
doubtless been long since forgotten by
you. No-the motive is less selfish and
more consonant to chaste and enlght-
ened view of duty and usefulness.
| was invited to attend the Convention
in Vermont. 1t was apparent in the
outset that men of influence and stand
ing-men of shrewd business tact and
enlarged experience, were opposed to the
project Of a Wool Depot. They doubt
less would have had an unhappy influ-
ence upon the public opinion of tina,
State, but for the discussion had at tina
Convention.
| was however enabled to convince
these very men of the soundness ant
feasibility of my views, and refute every
objection, plausible, or otherwise, tina
had been brought against my leuers.-
After protracted discussion, the meet
ing unanimously resolved to establish +,
Depot in connection with the Kinder
hook Depot in this state. A result mos
anxicusy desired, and to me exceeding
ly fattering.
have recently ascertained that they
have completed the arrangement an'
established branch Of the Kinderhool
Wool Depot at Shoreham, VT, and have
pledged for the current year some 200,
900 lbs. Of wool for that purpose.
1t may be proper to state that it is un
derstood that the Ohio Convention ha:
secured nearly 100000 lbs. of WOO
from the flock masters in that region, fo
the purpose Of carrying out their views
in aiding the depot established by Messrs
Perkins e. Brown, Of Akron, Ohio, a
Springfield, Mass.
If these things are so, should they no
have great weight with the farmers o
Newly ork? These men are not novi
ces they are well versed in bushes
transactions, and keenly alive to thei
own interests. Prudent and discreet
they are sure carefully to examine thei
ground before making a deliberate anc
important change in their business trans
actions. Their example should not pas
unheeded.
Thus far I have borne in silence til
censure, whether deserved or undeserv
ed, which has been pressed upon m
for devoting my official time to the in
vestigation of this subject. With pa
thence have | listened 10 the criticism
of those who have allowed prejudice I
influence opinion, and what is worse, t
the " faint praise" of those who lacke
capacity to understand the " Letters O
the Wool Trade" or the courage oper
ly to commend what their Judgment ar
proved.
But is it sheer presumption now i
view of the foregoing facts, TO call upo
the farmers of Western and Easter
Newly DIRK, each in their respective l.
calities, to initiate so far at least the ia
mers of Vermont, Ohio, Pennsylvani
and Virginia, as TO hold conventions fc
the purpose of discussing whether III
institution of Wool Depots is either wis
or feasible Discussion leads to inye!
Observation-Disclosures to the discover
OF truth Men of all pursuits in life ar
greatly benefited by public discussion
but there 10 no class of men who can b
possibility be SO much benefited by it a
farmers, for they seldom if ever 90, q,