Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-16
|. Growth and Manufacture of Wool I'm
s the United States.

sumo, it sets forth the unequaled facilities
possessed by the Southern and Western states
for sheep-raising and wool-growing. In
allusion to its own State, it sees no reason
why it should not raise fifty times as much as
1t now does, with comparatively speaking.
very little more trouble and expense. This
remark will apply as well to Tennessee as to
Georgia We have in this State vast ex-
tent of cheap lands admirably adapted to
sbeep-raising, and which are lying idle and
unproductiye And it is in the immense
area of land in the Ented States, and its
= great cheapness, as compared with the price
Of lands in Europe, that lies one great advan-
tage we have over European wool-growers.
a In climate, too, in the South and South
West, we have decided advantage over
many of the sheep-raising districts of Europe,
as we'll as over the more Northern sections OF
the United States. This advantage OF
climate, moreover, in the South and South
West, is not cOunterbalanced by any
corresponding disadvantage-it having long
since been established by the most thorough,
practical tests, that as far South as the
parallel of the 34th degree of latitude, and
perhaps further, there is no deterearotion IN
the physical condition and endurance of the
animal, nor in the quality of The rcOOl. 1t will
be recollecled, in fact it is not likely to be
SOON forgotten by intelligent wool-growers
either in the United States or Europe--that
wool grown in the immediate vicinity OF
Nashville took the gold medal from all the
world at the great Fair in London, few
years ago. This fact, together with the
great faculties we have in Tennessee for the
raising of sheep, in climate and III the
comparative cheapness of large extent OF
lands we'll suited for the purpose, should
stimulate our farmers and stOck-raisers to
make the business more the object of their
special attention than they have hitherto
done.
Another indncement they have to do this,
is the facility with which they may supply
themselves with animals of the highest ex-
cellence and the most approved stock, for
breeding purposes. From the focks of Mr.
MARK r. CoCKRILL, near this place and from
which was taken the wool that carried off the
gold medal above spoken of, may be procured
breeders equal to any in the world, and at
less risk and on better terms, than they can
be either procured from abroad or purchased
elsewhere in the United States.
To that gentleman was given to do what it
falls to but very few men in the world to do
namely, to discover and demonstrate practi-
caly the existence of law ofnature of great
value and Importance to an immense region
of country. Had il been predicted fifty years
ago that the time would come when wool,
grown as far South as this would, for its
superior fineness and excellence, cary off the
prize from the whole wooigrowing world, at
World Fair, the prediction would have
been everywhere received with incredulity
and desision-so universal was the settled
conviction that the certain and unavoidable
effect of Southern climate like this would
be greatly to dete.iorate, in few years, the
quality of the wool of the finest focks that
might be transported so far South-in short
that as you went South the wool became
coarser in texture and inferior in quality.
Mr.. CoCKRILI.. in early manhood, sold his
landed patrimony, in the immediate vicinity
of this place, and embarked in the business
of sheep-raising and wool-growing We have
heard from a reliable source that, when he
did this, some of the most intelligent men in
this country at that day-warm friends of
his, too--entertained and expressed the opin-
ion that he had fooled away his Inheritance.
aud that in a short time he would be over
taken by total ruin in his pecuniary affairs.
He, however, tenaciously adherng to his pur-
pose, pursued the even tenor of his way, and
went on improving his flock of native stock
by judicious crossing with the best animals
he was enabled to procure from other and
distant quarters, until, in process of time, he
succeeded in bringing his flock to such state
of excellence 10 equal any in the world for
PHYSICAL organization and quality of fleece.
Not only did he do this here, but he took his
flock to the neighbordOod of Jackson, Missis-
sippt, kept it there several years, and practi-
cally demonstrated that even as far south as
that, time and climate worked no deteriora-
ton either in the health and vigor of the ami
mails, or in the texture of the wool. Subse.
qqently he returned with his flock TO the
neighborhood of this place, where he contn-
ues his efforts, in all practicable ways, TO
b ring it to the highest state of excellence il
is possible to attain. We have it from his
own mouth, that the capital he has invested
In the business pays better than it would do
in any other branch of agriculture in this
region.
Should not the abundant success which
has crowned the labors of Mr.. CoCKRIIL
stimulate our farmers and stock raisers TO
turn portion of their attention to this i'm
portant. and il judicously conducted, profita-
bic branch of agricultural Ii has been in the
hope that it would, as we'll to render APP
propriate honor to whom il is due. that we
have thus briefly referred to some of the par
ticulars connected with Mr.. CocKRrL's his
tory. as the most meritorious and successful
wool-grower. all things considered. to be found
In this or any other country.
Another inducemcnt, which we have not
before adverted 10, for our farmers TO give
more attention To this branch Of agriculture,
Is the facility. at trihing addition of labor
and expense, with which Il may be connected
with other branches--with grain-growing-
with provision raising &c. In fact,
it is not as a main business, except in partie-
ulat localities, bat an adjunct, that It's
pursuit should be recommended or would he
advisable. Ia that'point Of view, IL may be
commenced on a scale 10 salt the eircum-
stances Of each particular farmer, whatever
may be his condition. Only make begin
ing. with resoIdte determination to give