American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-01-09
Sheep and Goats as Wool-bear-
ing Animals.



practically known in the United States a
a wool bearing animal, yet it is inrerabl,
from its harder nature AMI better adap
taIon to pioneer life, that it supple,
our progenltors with both clothing an,
food long years before the sheep wa
used for these purposes. Certainly from
the earliest history of our race il ha
been intimately AID practically associatet
with man, and in ASiatic countries It'll
contributes to lis requirements MOI,
than sheep. The race abounds in al
most infinite varieties, which have
readily adapted themselves to the eli,
mates, subsistence, and uses which sur
round them in almost every inhabitable
portion of the world. 1t is rather
strange, therefore that American enter
prise did not sooner avail itself of Tie
practical value Of the wool bearing
variety, and long since Introduce them as
one Of The common stocks of our farms
This, however, was left to Mr.. James B.
Davis, of South Carolina, in the year
1849, since which they have gradually
been dilfused all over the country, i'll all
OF It's extremes, and have proven them
selves to be hardy, Thrifty, and prolific in
all situations. and Of great practical value
for their wool. and are now generally
known as Cashmere Goats, a name which
has been accorded to them, and whether
technically correct or not, is Of no prac
teal importance.
As in mechanics. there isa dead point,
which it is difficult to pass. and at which
motion may be suspended, but beyond
which progress is easJ; so also the
practical value OF these goats for wool
bearing purposes seemed for awhile
predetermined, mainly on account of the
want Of manufacturing establishments al
home, TO create a market for the WOO!
Blu! the deal point has been safely and
successfully passed manufactures Of
this most beautiful, durable, and valuable
product have been established in this
country, and benceforward there will be
a steady demand, at remuuerating prices,
for all that can be produced. My last
clip, consisting of all grades, from three
quarter to pure bred, was sold in New
York for s. 25 per pound Gust as shcrn
from the animals) to Messrs. BauenIahl
& Co., No. As and AZ Park Place. This
is one Of the most extensive, reliable
and gentIemanly wool houses in New
York, and in their Price Current and
Wool Circular, for June, they say
"Mohair has attracted more attention,
and some recent sales OF domestic
grown parcels were effected at prices
'cIyi"o fo-. s~','.'y c. 0,.ts -
81 95. Part Of the consignments were
good, and the question of the capablity
to grow goats hair mere, and TO manu-
facture lherefrom superior articles, seems
to be practic n settled" "Mohair" is
the commercial Term by which Goats
wool is known. | have before me
sample Of some imported by Messrs.
Bauendahl Il Co.. for there is not only
a demand for all dom este grown, but it !
is also imported TO some extent) The
sample shows it TO be identically Of the
same desert ption and variety, produced |
ny tue same species OF goat, and adapt |
ed TO the same uses, as the WOOL OF our
Cashmere Goats Messrs Bauendahl q
Co., informs me that it cost S per
pound in gold to import it.
By drawing a comparison between
sheep and goats as practical wool>bear
ng animals, l would not, if l could,
rave one sheep less; or one pound less of
heir wool raised; for we now import
line and half million pounds Of wool,
md over seventeen million dollars worth
# wooden goods, all of which, and more
We could and ought to produce at home,
nd would do so if there were no vii.
ainous dogs 10 the land. But rather let
s have more goats and more of their
7ool commensurate with its superior
ualily and value.
Let the "Improved Kentucky" breed
f sheep be taken as the object of com,
arison, and at the usual estimate Of five
heep per acre of good grass land One ,
undred breeding ewes of this breed |
ave produced eight pounds each OF |
lean, unwashed wool, and this wool I
as sold this year at SO cents per pound.
bese are liberal estimates, and certainly C
lore than the sheep Of the country gen Ii
rally produce. Thus VIC have 40 a
ounds Of wool per acre. worth 38 cents fl
er pound, making SIS 20 per acre for a
he wool alone. Let the value Of the n
nimal increase, and the greater value f,
the mutton of sheep be borne in mind p
making this comparison. 81
As goats cost less. and subsist on a Il
-eater variety, and on meaner food than q