Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-01-07
FINE WOOL.

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/" crisis" has at length arrived in this i'm
portant article, long forseen, however,
by the more sagacous. It consists in
the error OF fafmcrs generally, that be-
cause coarse and medium wool formerly
paid 0. fair profit, it would always be SO
hence, at length, the over-production Of
low qualities, and consequently, low pri-
ces, that surely follow in all cases, where
there is, want of cquability of sup
ply and demand. But the eyes Of all
such are now opened to see the fallacy
Of their antcipations; and this being the
fact, the question arises, will they shut
them to what is clearly their duty for
the future?
To the inert and sceptical, who are
slow TO believe and act, | will barely
state the fact, that three sheep is the
average number which can be supported
on an acre the year round and from
this data all can readily calculate the de-
gree of profit realized from growing wool
worth only from 10 TO 25 cents per h..
Compared with the production of almost
anything else within the farmers range,
the conclusion is inevitable, that sheep
producing no finer wool are worthless ;
unless of the mutton varieties, the car
case of which when well latted, in the
neighborhood OF our large towns and
cities, will always be in requsition, and
profitable to the producer. But it is not
my purpose to enter into minute details
relative TO the comparative profits Of
growing coarse, medium, and very fine
wool, for my time will not at present
permit meto do so; but merely TO hint
the subject for the reflection of all in
terested. 70 those who grow indifi'er-
ent wool, ! ask, when it costs no more
nay, not SO much-to support sheep
whose fleece will command at the pres
ent time sc cents per h., why will they
keep on their premises such as produce
wool of the value of 20, 25 or even 80
cents per Id The carless and unamb-
tious probably will, but the thrifty far
mer, who desires an adequate compen-
sation for his labor, will not long submit.
The period for aiming to grow the finest
arool, has come, and simply for the rea-
son, because it now is, and will continue
to be, the most profitable But more
anon, when convenience will allow me
to continue the subject.
My principal object now, is 10 call
the attention of your readers interested
in wool-growing, to the splendid Aocks
Of fine wooded sheep kept in Washing
ton county, Pa, and the adjoining coun
ty of Brooke, in Virginia. 1t is the o.
pinion of MIR. Lawrence, of Lowell, who
has had the opportunity to test the woods
of that region, that the blood is of tho
highest order of excellence and that
several focks will rival, in all those prop
critics desirable for tho n,onufaotor
some of the most noted of SaXony. Nc
praise could be higher or more unques-
tionable.
Among those which claim the first at
tention in point of fneness, in Mr.. Sam
uel Patterson's Of Washington county
whose flock numbers about 1900. Ii
order to set aside all doubts at once,
will state the fact, that Mr.. P. received
rs cents per lib. for 100 of his buck flee
ces, (nearly all yearlings,) the presen
season, purchased by the Northampton
Manufacturing Company; and on hi
authority, received about two month
since, he would probably obtain 10 cent
per ID. for the residue of his clip. Th
heeces of his entire flock have hcretofor
averaged from 2 % to 2 "a lbs. an,
from the specimens | have seen Of tn
wool of his last clip, it was most thor
oughly washed; indeed, with the excep
ton of Messrs. Perkins d Browns wool
of Akron, Ohio, | have never seen woo
so perfectly clean. His process Of clean
sing is the same as that of Messrs. p.
b., which they should favor the publ
with the knowledge of.
Within the last week, myself an
brother, H. x. Morrell have received
number of bucks purchased by Mr.. PA
terson, selected by samples forwarde
by letter; and it affords me pleasure {
state, that no disappointment has resu
ted from this mode Of purchase. In tn
language Of one who well knows Mr.. p
che is every inch man." and hay
all confidence in stating, that those VIII
buy of him may safely follow my exam
pie. The forms are very symmetrical, =
the wool will sort extra and super exit
very compact, and several of then
the staple very long. The base of M
P's flock is merino descendants, for I'll
most part, Gas is the case with numbc
Of focks in his seciion,) Of Gen. Hun
phrey's importation Of 1902; togethc
with choice selections, from time to tim
from the celebrated flock of the lat
Messrs. Wells g. Dickinson, of Stel
benvillc, For further and more minu
Information of the pedigree of his shee
| refer your readers to the Hon. Robe
G. Nicholas, of Geneva, and my frieu
Daniel Rogers, of Hoosic, both Of who
have obtained bucks of him within Ii
last year.
For the benefit Of those who wish
communicate with Mr.. Patterson, W
state that his post Office address is Pa
terson Mills, Washington county, PEN