Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-02-27
SPANISH MERINo SHEEP IN YER.
MONT.

- hNhPAA hbiNiNO 0I1EEI I'm EN-
MONT.
Vermont has the honor of having imported
to this country the Rrst Spanish Merino sheen.
and it is said by those who have travelled es.
tensively that the Merinos Of Spain do not
compare with those now owned in Vermont.
In fact Vermont possesses the best fne wool
sheep in the world.
William Jarvis. a native Of Boston, re-
ceived an appointment az Consul to Lisbon
from Jefferson, and while there, in 1911, Ma
poleon invaded Portugal and Spain and some
Of the aocks were seized by him to feed his
army, while others were sold to defray the
expenses Of the war, Previously not a sim
gle sheep had not been allowed to leave Spain,
the penalty Of death huving been established
to prevent IL. Mr. Jarvis, wishing to benefit
bis countryman, purchased ten bucks at a cost
Of 5000 each, aud shipped them to New York.
He ordered his agent TO advertise them tho
roughly and then advertise them at auction.
His request MAS complied With nnA ihe re-.
port Of the sale was sent to Mr.. Jarvis. He
opened the letter, from which he read that
bis sheep had been sold at Sl00 each. This
letter was thrown down in a passion, aud hie
countrymen we're considered the most unap-
preciative people in the world. He thought
they certainly might have shown gratitude
enough by paying at least what the sheep cost
him. The next day, having occasion to refer
to the letter, be found that he had made
mistake Of one cipher in the first reading
Instead Of the sheep having sold for SlOO
each they had sold for $1,000 slight diff
erence. This induced him to make further
purchases, and during his stay at Lisbon he
shtnppb IN fht. h..t
800 OF which we're sold at New York, Bos-
ton, Portland, New Haven and Philadelphia
at enormous prices. The 800 that be reserr-
ed were taken to Weathersfeld, VT, where
5000 acres Of land had been purchased at a
cost OF $50 900. On his return to this coun-
try, MIR. Jarvis settled in Vermont and con-
tinued the rearing Of sheep, from which, to-
gether with the profits made on those that he
had imported, he amassed fortune. He
dieG in 1858, at the age Of ninety years, and
at that time was the richest man ia Vermont,
his estate being valued at $500, 900. Each
Of his eight children received from their ia
theirs estate $4,000. They certainly ought
to be devoted believers in the animal with
the golden hoof" Mr.. Jarvis once remarked
that he was indebted to Mr.. Jefferson and Ma
poleon for his fortune-to jefferson for hav-
ing 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 gain
ed at the commencement Of the enterprise,
and no other State has better sheep or reaiI-
es larger profits. We believe there are few
farmers in the State who keep hocks Of more
than 1000 head. but the average OF the larger
farmers will not exceed 500. The average
yield Of wool is about five hundred pounds,
but there are instances where from fifteen
to twenty five pounds have been sheared from
single sheep. The average prices Of good
SBas;sh MerisQ Ewes. estimating them nv the
hIck. is from 80 to IS per head. The very
best for breeding purposes are sold at much
higher prices.
Edwin Hammond, President of the Yer
mont State Agricultural Society. sold two
year old buck, to California sheep breeder a
year since for $1,000. This is the highest
price that any have been sold for in the State.
1t is not unfrequently that bucks sell for
$500, but the average price for medium ami
mails ranges from S25 to $3.50. George
Campbell of Westminster, who is one Of the
largest breeders in the State. owns buck
that he will not sell for 50, 500, for the rea.
son that its lambs are OF the best quality and
always sell at the highest prices. Mr.. Camp
bell has travelled through France. Spa
and Germany, and he reports that the cee-
brated Spanish Merino Aocks in those coun-
tries have greatly deteriorated from their
original standard. He has imported from
800 to 400, and now 500 head for breeding
purposes Before the war he found a market
in the Southern States, but is now selling his
sheep to breeders in the West, California
and South Amcrica-Buenos Ayres.
A practice is becoming quite common in
Vermont, and will ultimately be adopted else
where. 1t is shearing without washing 1t
is the testimony of those that have practised
both systems that the health Of the sheep is
affected by washing and not unfrequently
colds are contracted that cause death. The
manufacturer can easily cleanse the wool by
chemical process, and il he becomes accus.
toned to purchasing without washing he will
more thoroughly examine the wool-a fair
price will then be established for all qualities.
Northampton lfdss.) Free Press.