Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-03-18

and candidly award to them the credit
of having improved In many respects,
upon the original Spanish sheep. Al
though we do not claim that they are
vastly superior TO the best hocks Of i'm
proved Spanish Merinos, yet we ma,
safely say that they yield a remarkably
heavy fleece of wool of a very fair grade
OF fneness that they possess a good
form aud constitution they are
quiet and docie in their dispositions, and
that they promise. at some future day,
from their size, rapid growth aud pro-
pensity to fatten. to become a valuable
variety for mutton.
The SIlesian Merinos, spoken of in
the report, | feel confident, will prove
acceptable 10 those farmers who desire
to grow fine grade of wool At the
present time, and for years past, manu-
tacturers have paid only a few cents
more for the finer grades than for ordi-
nary wool Under these circumstances,
with the existing variety OF fine wooled
sheep, producing light heeces, farmers
keeping a flock of medium grade have
undoubtedly realized a larger profit !;
but dare confidently assert that Silcsl-
an merino wool (Which will compare
iavorably with any Saxon wool grown
in the country can be produced at less
cost than the common grade of merno
wool, at the present day. Hence, If fine
wool will not at present command price
proportionate 10 the degree of fDoness,
there can be no inducement To grow a
coarser grade, admitting that the price
per ID. shall be the same.
The report also speaks iavorably Of
my old flock of Spanish merlnos. In
reference to this, allow me TO say that
for number Of years, have been en-
deavoring TO establish fact al variance
with the prevailing opinion among wool
growers IN relation TO fineness OF wool
and weight of fleece. 1t is generally
believed that in proportion as wool is in
creased in fineness, The weight of fleece
becomes less. 1t has long been nay
opinion, that as much fine wool may be
grown from the same amount of keeping
as that Of the coaiscr grades. BY this
would not be understood TO include the
rery finest Sarons, but that quality
which will compare well with the sam
Piles that | send you--lhey being taken
from pure merinos.
In selecting my sheep for breeding, |
have always chosen those with thick
even fleece over the whole body, which |
is strong evidence of the purity of
blood. have also kept in view the
length OF staple and style of wool, to-
gether with sufficient quantity of cea,
white oil, which, with the natural crlmp.
gives II soft and beautiful appearance.
The samples send you are no more
than an average OF my whole flock. MY
last clip OF wool is yet on hand, but for
the CLIP OF 1850 obtained 81 cents per
per pound. There is commute,
appointed by the Club to attend til,
shearing of our sheep The present season
and make due report thereof, of which
! Will send you a copy.
Very respectfully yours,
GEo. CAMPBELL.
Our object in requesting samples Of the
wool referred TO in the preceding letter,
was to enable the farmers, among whom our
paper c,rcuiates, to be their own Judges OF
Messrs. Chamberlain aud Campbells i'm
portalIon of sheep, and to encourage both
the importers and the farmers in the lauda.
Die work of Improvement in the important
work of wool-gfowing in Vermont. The
world affords no better pastures for sheep
than are found among our own Green
Mountains. The specimens OF wool refer
red to may be seen at the Bookstore of L.
p. Walton s. Son. Editor.