Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-12-27

est, Inc account OF measure WnlCn mas
resulted in whitening their thousand hills
with that valuable breed of sheep, and so
greatly contributed to the wealth and pros
peril of their own State. EDS.
Worthy of Americans.
HIGHLY INTERESTING TO THE STATE.
ON MERINos AND MANUFACTURES.
To the Hon. General Assembly Of the
State Of Connecticut, now in session;
The committe appointed to inquire con-
corning the pr pertles of the Meriho breed
of sheep, imported into this State by the
Hon. DAVID HuMpHREys, late Minister
pIenipotentary fom the United States to
the Court of Madrid, respectfully report
That we have carefully nves gated the
facts connected with the various subjects
referred to us, and take pleasure in observ-
ing that Col, Humphreys, while discharg-
ing the high and important duties of his
public station, availed himself of the facil,
lics which his character in the capitals of
Spain and Portugal afforded, and in the
year One THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND
TWO, extracted from Spain, chosen flock
of One Hundred SHEEP of the Merino race.
The committee thought it to be their duty,
firstly, to ascertain whether this breed of
sheep is superior, in intrinsic value, to the
several species bred among US and, sec
ondly, whether, if propagated here, they
would be likely to retain their original quail
tiles. 1t is in proof to the committee, that
this race of sheep is inferior to none in the
value of the carcase, or in the facility OF
management. They are healthful, and fat
ten easily in our climate. The superior ex-
cellencc Of their wool is fully attested by
comparison, and an attentive examination
of the fabrics wrought from the feeces
grown in this country. Indeed, the well
: known fact, that the Merino breed has been
for long time considered by artists and
manufacturers throughout Europe, as indis.
, pensabIe to the finer wool fabrics, is in it,
~lr. L.. gt.t.sirss of the SStnnNise-s-s A..
contestabIe evidence of its superior fneness
o Whether sheep of the merino race, if prop
\ agated here, will be likely to retain their o
= riginal qualities, has appeared to the com
! mittee to lie the main question Of practlca
> importance Upon this point, the commit
. tee are not left to doubt or conjecture. ThC
evidence that the wool of the imported me
+. rinos has not deteriorated, is conclusive
Gentlemen of the first intelligence and in
tegrty have attentiveIy watched the pro
grcssyc state Of Col. Humphreys imported
d. Aocks, and concur in attestng TO the fact
. that the wool of the original stock retain
y all It's superior value in quality and guam
" THY; that the full blooded-progeny, produ
y ced in this country, is in no respect inter-
y or tt, the stock imported from SPAIN
- Were the proof derived from the obselva
= ton and experience of respectable citizens
in any way incomplete, The fact that tn
mcrino race is capable of enduring all tn
/, effects of a northern climate without dett
rioraton, would be apparent from the mu
l. tipled experiments made in different coun
u tries. They have been successfully propa
I, gate, in Great Britain, Holland, Swtzel
land, Germany Denmark and Sweden. !
+ those new and various situations, their flee
e cas, on the experience Of many ye rs, hav
l. been found to be augmented in quantity
and undiminished in fineness
On this combined view of facts, th
l. committee do not hesitate to express a d(
W cided and unanimous opinion, that the cl
d, mate of this State is not unfavorable to tn
III propagation of this valuable breed of an
J. mails. The committee deem it necessar
to support the importance of melioratin
our breed of sheep, particularly in the art
Gle of wool The opportunities, which al
now offered, of crossing the blood, and pr
ducing mixed progeny, as also of preser
ing and extending the full bIooded breed
an unlimited degree, are in the opinion
the committee, advantages of high impo
lance. That the wool Of the mixed brec
surpasses that of the ordinary breed of Il
country, to surprising degree in regard
both quantity and quality, is a fact Whit
is fully attested. 1t is proved to be We
useful in the hat mandatory, and IS cage
sought for at price greatly advanced
It's value to the citizens of this State is We
mas great, for the domestic fabric of homesp
Tue garments, The committee finds that I
'N peculiar excellence of tile breed is con6r
ed by experience beyond contradiction
Many Of the citizens of this, and otl
States in the Union, are convinced of
intrinsic value; the Legislature of the ST.
of New York, DESTROYS of securing the S
rib pie of its Wooden Manufacture, has cons
cred the spread of the Merino Sheep,
and over their State to be Of so much
portance, as to encourage it by assuran,
of liberal pecuniary advancement from tn
public treasury.
In regard to the other important matt
referred to them, the committee find I
Col. Humphreys has, with great expense
tern rected buildings and procured machinery
ex- carrying on several branches of manu-
acl' lures, in the town Of Derby, at that pla
for which, as it has grown up under his ca
ky's may with propriety be denominated HI
ID" phreysvllle; that among these is the fal
4 is cation Of cotton, yarn and stufs, broad
illus narrow cloths, and stockings of vari
tell kinds. The committee hold no speculat
opinions on the subject of manufactur
lui- their views are altogether practical
, in their opinion, the exertions of Col HI
ming phreys, in the introductions of Iabor-sav
orb, machines, and the selection of women
rid children as his principal laborers, are p
He ages of ultimate success, BY this con