The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-05-16
lcarre.pana.ncs Of The rae. Com. Aar.r.l..r


hFr meg % IN m f-lEI ms.
Mr.. EDITOR II see by the .4frertiser. that som,
of your enterprising citizens nave been importing
South Down sheep.
Accepting the doctrine Of Alexander Hamilton,
that it is impossible to keep an intelligent people long
ignorant of their interests, I suppose sheep husband
~, intelligently and Systematically pursued, will
soon become an extensive and profitable business at
the islands. In that case, it is quite important that
there should be a judicious selection to begin with.
Having conversed and corresponded with some of
the most eminent breeders and importers in the
United States. and visited many focks, Of different
kinds, in different and remote parts of the country,
with the object of ascertaining as fully as possible
the excellencies and adapt atoms OF each, and being
somewhat acquainted with your climate, ranges, and
the circumstances that must necessarily surround
sheep husbandry among you, l venture a few re-
marks with regard to the comparative adaptation of
some Of the kinds 10 your circumstances and inter
ests, and with only that motive, and in n little of
that spirit that prompts disinterested efforts in be-
half of the Hawaiian Islands.
There can be no doubt but that, so far as mutton
sheep are concerned, the selection Of the Do,ras is
eminently judicious. Although they do not mature
as early, do not afford as much mutton for the food
consumed, and are not rs profitable under the
" forcing system rs ONE of the long woods, they
are harder, better nurses, better adapted to extern
sive and rugged ranges, and to the folding system
necessary at the islands. But in your case. that SUI
periority should not be regarded as sufficient to de-
termine a choice.
Sheep are kept for mutton, for wool, and to sus-
tain a convertible system of husbandry. No particu-
lar kind greatly excels in all of those respects. And
You want that kind which, other things being equal,
will afford the greatest value of marketable product.
Now, You cannot make mutton an article of ex-
port, and the local demand is comparatively limited.
Wool can be proitably grown and exported, and, in
my opinion, to = much greater amount than the sum
Of your present exports. If l am correct, wool, and
not mutton, should be the ramou considerations,
especially when a good quality OF the latter can be
secured with the best quality Of the former, while n
profitable quality Of the former cannot be secured
with the best quality Of the latter.
The Spanish Merino affords a good quality of NUT
ton and superior quality of fleece. They shear a
fourth more than the South Down, of wool which in
our market sells for nearly rs much again, and in
the London market, a third more per pound. 1
speak of the improved varieties of both kinds, rs /
have read Of them, have seen them, and have them.
The South Downs mature earlier, nurse better, and
are less inclined to rove. The Merinoes live longer,
breed longer, and are best adapted to tie shepherd
system. They are said to be equally hardy. My
'wn experience favors the Merino in that respect.
II is "A very common opinion, that fine woods dete-
iorate in warm countries. That Is frequently but
Tot necessarily 50. Recent and extensive expert
neuts, III different countries and climates, prove the
Of what Lasieyrie declared his 'unalter-
bic principle that fine wool can be grown where
yer intelligent breeders exist.
1t costs no more to raise a pound of fue than Of
7arse wool. Rainfall says it costs les. Then why
lot breed up your common sheep into fine woods, e.
lblish a profitable business. and create an important
xport: Z. A.. HEYDov.
ALnioy, Illinois, March -. 1861.
I'm a postscript TO us, the same correspondent
dds
You can raise at the islands a quality Of wool that
sell for fifty cents per pound in the New York
larket, at half the cost it can be grown for in this
ltitude. | believe you can compete with US success
ally, Notwithstanding our tariff, in our own mar
and l an very confident that you need not fear
lie competition Of Europe in the London market.
fier the fourth cross. with Merino bucks. your wool
i'll sell for full grade Merino At from forty to fifty
,nts per pound at least,-my best Merino sold for
xty and ~sixty-hSe cents per pound, with from FIVE 10
inc pounds to the fleece.
After the importation Of bucks. your greatest ex-
would be that Of q native attendant to keep oil
. ""- 'AEAoeuH sHe'P' ~ 1tuL % sneIieT On Inc
1proach Of severe storms, and to fold at night. The
ck would need little other attention, except during
e shelring and iambing seasons. \ sufficient
Iowleige with regard to the principles Of breeding,
ID details Of management, can be found in almost
y OF the shepherd books extant. {
- Sheep husbandry in the South 10y II. :. Ran
II, Is the best work on sheep that | have read.
------ ;
Fox THE EAsr.-The Yankee Is ready to sail, hav-
2 a full cargo on board, and Is only waiting the
rival Of the sen RsLapirohi from Hawaii, with t
-ssengers whom she has engaged TO take. She will 7
IL Immediately Oh the schooner's arrival. taking i