The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-24

SIoprs AND vAibnss o. rHs RoOrv Mouvg
rAIss The last number Of tie Trsstsrw Jow~ag
contains an article from Mr.. TArvsr> its senior
editor. in VIII oh the writer discusses the capabili
ties Of the region OF plaias and mountains between
the Mississippi and the Pacific. His estimate Of
the agricultural capacities of that region IL rather
700 'avoraoie But ne has done no more than jus-
hce to Its PASTORAL character. As q wool growing
region 1t presents advantages not possessed by
any other section OF country. Less adapted
to the rearing of cattle, it furnishes an he rbage
winch Is peculiarly fitted for sheep. In New Mex.
leo sheep have few diseases; may be kept the year
round without housing, and require no other food
IMAM the pastures OF the valleys and aesas Of that
country. Sheep have formed large part Of tho
wealth and property OF the New Mexcans. Years
ago, before the Indians became mischievous, q
single proprietor was master of three hundred
thousand. greater plumber than 10 to be
found in the " hole Territory. The breed ia very
inferior, and, II ever good, has deteriorated. Bot
we doubt whether il was ever better than it ia now.
One reason - that there never was any demand
for fine WOOL The wool OF the sheep raised there
mi at present prices averagc in ST Louis twelve
cents pound. None Of II appears here. though
wool has nothing like market price in New Mex
leo, and if IL could be got all might be obtained
for little or nothing. Even OF their hocks which
used to be 80 numerous, and OF which some Of the
few that remain are still counted by thousands
the largest sheep owner nov in the United States
being in New MexicJ-sheep sheoring il q thing
unknown there. The fleece, or rather wool, is
clipped and torn from the back Of the animal with
large Knue. n niue OF IL ID gathered Tor use TO
be spun by the primitive spindes, and to be woven
by the primitive looms of that country into coarse
blankets and jrgos, or carpeting. Much Of it,
however, 10 suffered to lie where il falls one object
of wool clipping being to free the animals back of
a load which ia supposed to be uncomfortable or
injurious to his health during the warm season.
The New Mexicans, with their pastors and long
experience in rearing sheep, could no doubt under
favorable circumstances as we have remarked, ,
multiply their stock to twenty times its present
number Could there be reasonable assurance
of security from Indian moestation, the emigra-
ton to New Mexico of a few enterprising sheep
rsarers with improved breeds, and ipstructiug the
New Mexicans in the advantages offered BY the
market of the United States for fine woods, would
no doub BIT change the whole character OF sheep
husbandrY in that country. Our opinion is that
without the facilities of railroad conmu mic alton,
wool could be laid down in Boston nearly as cheap
from New Mexico il can be from Vermont.
With her capacities fairly developed as they could
be in few years, New Mexico would probably be
able to send by rail average of over S2000 900
worth OF wool per month to ST. Louis; thus max.
ng small contribution toward paying at least
the current expenses of such a road We believe
indeed, that such are the advantages possessed by
New Mexico over other paris of the Union for
sheep raising and for producing the finest woods
at the least cost, that the wool interest of that
country promises to be of greater ma gnitude and
importance than that OF nearly all the rest of the
Union together.-St. Louis Inteiiigsner, Nay l3.