Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-03-06
agricultural.
From the II. Paul (Niinn.) Press
ADDRESS ON WOOL GROWING.

A large number of the members of
the Legislature and farmers of this
neighborhood and from distance as
scmbled yesterday afternoon in the
Hall of the House Of Representatives
to listen to an address on the subject
of "wool growing" by the Hon. j.
b. Grinnell, in pursuance of an invita-
ton extended to that gentleman by
the resolution of the House Of Repre-
sentatives of Thursday.
Mr.. Grinnell is large sheep owner
at Grinncll, Iowa-wherc he has been
for years past extensively engaged in
wool growing, and is enthusiastically
devoted to the occupation which he
regards as peculiarly adapted to the
climate and physical character of
Minnesota. His private conversations
upon this subject, led to the general
desire among our farmers in and out
of the Legislature, for an opportunity
to hear his experience, which he yes.
terday consented to crafty. The fol,
lowing notes are very off.hand
sketch of bis remarks-but fail to do
anything like justice to the character
of the address.
He was not afraid of creating a
hen fever or m0rus muiticauiis fever +;
but who need fear sheep and wool
excitement? The sheep has never
been in disfavor since Noah gave him
a place in his royal procession of
animals, and the bard and warrior of
Israel found himself the most valiant
of single combatants in the rescue of
a lamb.
He said he had never read a severe
expression in regard to sheep, save
one, and that was by John Randolph,
of Roanoke, who was so impatient at
the talk of protection to wool, that he
would so miles to kick a sheep; but
that eccentric Virginian had almost
made atonement by his philosophic
and prophetic declaration that the
time would come when slaves would
advertise for runaway masters. That
time has come, and it is the era that
marks the dcthroncmcnt of King Cot
ton and the Inauguration of Prince
Wool-wool, born of Free States, and
TO hold his throne in virtue of victories
that await the march OF the army OF
freedom. Sheep, he said, means "Mt
onialal,' as the Bible means the book
Wool means the best thing, and i,
was thought in early ages, that il
should be spelled with all double let
ters. With no other animal can you
cover yourself with comfort like a
gentleman, and then satisfy hunger
and the finest epicurean tastes.
He spoke of breeds, and named
Leicester, Southdown and Cotswold
as the mutton sheep. only well adapt
ed to small tlocks and to be kept neal
large markets. He gave the prefer
ence among these to the Cotswold
because of the quality of the fleece
The Saxnny was called too tender and
too small, while the wool was fine
suited tn the southern districts of Con
tinental Europe. They were to bt
avoided, by their small legs, thin
neck, and transparent ears whel
young.
Merinos were then spoken of. The
Silesian Merino produced fine ligh
wool, aud the wool was more a favor
itc of the manufacturer than the sheer
were with the tlockmaster, yet but lit
| tie known
French Merinos were large, stou
sheep, with dry heeces, often covered
with wrinkles, and produced wool t.
the toes. They were great feeders
required good pas,urage, and do best