Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-04-24

spanish Merino sheep OF Vernon,

of Spain do not compare with those now
owned in Vermont. In fact Vernon
possesses the best fine wool sheep in the
world.
William Jarvis, native Of Boston, re-
ceivel an appointment as Consul TO Lisbon
from Jefferson, and while there, in 1911,
Napoleon invaded Portugal and Spain, and
some of the focks were seized by him to
feed his army, while others were sold to
defray the expenses of the war. Previ-
ously not single sheep had been allowed
to leave spain, the penalty Of death having
been established to preventit. Mr. jarvis
wishing to benefit his countrymen, purchased
ten bucks at cost of 5000 each, and ship
ped them TO New York. He ordered his
agent TO advertise them thoroughly and
sell them al auction. His request was com
piled with and the report of the sale was
sent to Mr.. Jarvis. He opened the letter,
from which he read that his sheep had been
sod at 500 each. The letter, was thrown
down in passion, and his counirymen
were considered the most unappreciative
people in the world. He thought they
certainly might have shown gratitude e.
nough by paying at least what the sheep
had cost him. The next day, having occa-
sion to refer to the letter, he found that he
had made mistake of one cipher in the
first reading. Instead Of the sheep having
sold for 500 each, they had sold for $1,000
"a slight difference. This induced him to
make further purchases, and during his
stay at Lisbon he shipped to this country
$500 sheep, all but 800 of which were
sold at New York, Boston, Portland, New
Haven and Philadelphia, at enormous pri-
ces. The 800 that he reserved were taken
to Weathersfeld, VT, where 5000 acres Of
land had been purchased at cost of $780,
600. On his return to this country, Mr..
Jarvis settled in Vermont and continued
the rearing of sheep from which, together
with the profits made on those he had i'm
ported he amassed fortune. He died in
1858, at the age of ninety years, and at
that time was the richest man in Vermont,
his estate being valued at 100000. Each
Of his eight children received from their
fathers estate $4,000. They certainly
ought to be devoted believers in the ami
NAL with the golden hoof" Mr. Jarvis
once remarked that he was indebted to
Jefferson and Napoleon for his fortune--to
Jefferson for having appointed him Consul,
and to Napoleon for having invaded Spain.
While Vermont was the first to take the
lead in this important branch of husbandry,
she still continues TO hold the reputation
gained at the commencement of the enter
prise, and no other State has better she ep
or realizes larger profits. We believe there
are a few farmers in the State that keep
focks of more than 1000 head, but the av-
erage of the larger farmers will not exceed
500. The average yield of wool is about
five pounds, but there are instances where
from 10 to % pounds have been sheared
from single sheep. The average prices
of good Spanish Merino ewes, estimating
them by the flock, is from Sc to So per
head. The very best for breeding purposes
are sold at much higher prices.
Edwin Hammond, President of the YER
mont Stae Agricultural Society, sold a two
year old buck, to California sheep breeder
few years since for $1,000. This is the
highest price that any have been sold for in
the State. 1t is not unfrequenlly that buck;
sell for $500, but the average price fol
medium animals ranges from $25 to $3.50
George Campbell of Westminster, who i:
one OF the largest breeders in the State
owns buck that he will not sell for So,
500, for the reason that its lambs are o
the best quality and always sell at the high
est prices. Mr.. Campbell has Travelled
through France, Spain and Germany, ant
he reports that the celebrated Spanish
Merino flock in those countries have great
ly deteriorated from the original standard
lie has imported from 800 TO 400, and no,
keeps 500 head for breeding purpose,
Before the war he found market in tn
southern States, but Is now ceiling his shee
TO breeders in the West, California, an
South America-Buenos Ayres.
n practice is becoming quite common i
Vermont, and will ultimately be adopte
elsewhere. 1t is shearing without washin,
II is the testimony of those that have prac
iiced both systems that the health of tn
sheep is affected by washing and not UT
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