Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-10-14

These all want pure blooded wool from
the Leicester, the CotswOld. and Lincoln
| breeds of sheep, and the amount raised In
the States is comparatively small. The larg-
est of these firms have bought largely IN
Canada. Some small lots of Canada, now
| in the Boston market, are held at 20, " IL,
and IS cents per pound, and will be SOLD at
these figures before next May. If the
amount of machinery now in operation IS
kept running through the winter. we shall
have to import from England, and that the
consumption Will not be reduced at all is
certain. the business being too remuneratlve.
But while these full blooded woods are bring
ing such high prices, half and quarter bred
are bringing .55 cents per pound, price
nearly equal to fine Saxony, and more than
the best Merino brings in the eastern market
Sheep husbandry has. at the present time,
bat few advocates, on account OF the low
price ut which wool has been sold lately but
notwithstanding the depression of clothing
woods, the price of combing woods has been
very .remunerative, and pure bred woods will
continue to be SO for years TO come. Machine
~ will increase faster than the wool; Tor
| neither half, one quarter, nor even three
quarters Will take the place OF pure bred
wool. Nothing but the best will make lus
tire goods. For some purpose the mixed
breeds will answer full as well as the best.
The increase of the pure breeds must az a
consequence be small, but the price Of wool
and the Increasing demand for good mutton
will render the question an important one.
| [ have no doubt that the stock will bring high
prices. but the half bred wool will bring a
price which | think would be worth the at
ten lion Of our farmers. 4 lamb would not
be despisable from a Cotswold or Leicester
eve by good large long wooded Merino ram,
but it would be of much more value by Il
long wooded ram, and were it not such very
great draft on Il small Merino eve, should
say that such an one crossed with Cotswoid
or Leicester. would produce splendid comb
ing wool | do not intend to write an article
on cross breeding, but simply to give the
price of wool and the prospective demand
With regard to our fine woods, | would say,
that prosperity is returning,-w will be
worth more than it has been for some time
che farmer may look for ready sale for his
wool, when well washed at forty cents. He
may also look for reduction in the price OF
corn, grain, butter, cheese, beet and pork,
then wool will compare with these in price
more favorably than at present. ! should
not think it advisable for our farmers to sell
their sheep, but were any so disposed,
should think it an excellent time Tor farmers
vino own good sheep farms to purchase.
Farmers ought TO copy the business methods
( 81 some OF our manufacturing companies
when business has been dull and men unfor-
tunate and wish to sell, or are compelled tC
sell their establishments. They take adyan-
tage Of Others necessities or follies, and make
/ their purchases, and when business reviveS
they are ready with their cheap mills and
cheap machinery to successfully complete
with those who have obtained their place;
/ less advantageously. Too many of our farm
ers fail by not being sufficiently quick and
ready to take advantage ofthose circumstances
which are continually Offering to make sucl
investments as would yield them rich returns
/ 10 those farmers who are discouraged about
| the price Of wool, | would say, do not sci
| your sheep TO those who have money,
would say, if You can, purchase few Lei
cesters, CotswoIds or Lincolns if YOU can
not do that, then find some one VINO viii not
take my advice and buy their, Merinos cheap
/ Nel0 England Farmer.