Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-05
Edwin Hammond,

wealth. has given a nournful interest to
the past year. 1t was observed, long ago,
that there are periods in history when
many men of mark cluster together; and
it would seem that there are also periods
of gloom when they seem to depart to-
gether. On the early morning of the last
day of the closing year, after painful
and lingering illness, another OF Yer
mont's most widely known and respected
citizens, passed from earthly scenes. lion
Edwin Hammond, OF Middlebury, at the
age Of seventy years.
The name of Edwin Hammond ha:
long been familiar to our readers, as that
Of one of the foremost and ablest standing
IN the list Of agriculturalist, and in the
department to which he devoted his la
bors. he was excclled by no living AmerI
n an, Asa man and citizen his memory
viii, 10 cherished by all who knew him
Io,g ~. 1 we'll, as it will be honored by
oil who ~e ready 10 do homage to 8
t-re man. VIII, yever he may DO found, by
al who can rev 'eFenoe patient industry,
and independent thought, and soien'
tifo observation, in >'batever section ne
was known, when such a la4'Vlouai pas
ses away, we can but pause At "i' 'onio'
and Iirten to the voices that HEne ~p ~
rs from the receding past, speaking o. LIS
labors and virtues. In justice and g. Az
tuie to the dead, we must glance, if we
can do no more, over the work he has per-
formed.
Edwin Hammond was born i'll Middle
bury, May, Goth. 1900. His earlier years
were marked by no extraordinary quality
save that of close observation and indus
try. He received the usual facilities of
education of the time of his youth, but he
made up in after life, by careful reading
and intelligent observation, many of the
defects consequent npon lack of early op-
portuuites. He became practical farm
err. and with industry and careful study
Of the nature of soils, and extensive obser-
walton he soon became the model of farmers
in his section. He was much Interested
in wool growing at the period when the
Consul Jarvis brought the first importa-
ton of Spanish sheep 80 this country. He
soon became theorizer upon the subject
Of sheep breeding, believing that by care
ful observation erd comparison, Il larger
Nmouuv Of wool might he produced, than
ha. been h.yetofore a series, really of
acien. 'ihc experiments they may be termed
uers o., uqnenccd, not only as to the guam
tity and quality Of the wool, but in the
form and weight Of the anima! pro-
auciuy if. and what qualities in animals
would produce like qualities to the next
generation of th flock.
About 1850, his fine hoek began to at
tract public attt ution, and soon wool
growers began to purchase, and patronize
it. The reputation OF his focbs had now
extended to other sections, and great
demand was made for animals bred by
him. far larger than he could supply, and
the priz--g-oon tecame fabulous almost
The supply however was at hand
among the Wool Growers Of Addison
County, and their fame extended through
out the length aud breadth Of the LAID
and even 10 the old world. 1t Is not ne
cessary to extend tbs history Of this en-
terprise. FOX it is familiar to sal Much
>alth was accumulated by those engaged
>ep husGandrey, and Mr.. Hammond
- large additions 20 his fortune.
6. -.s(t ), Neame the celebrity IT these
s9 t,ood q etmals that Mr.. Hammond
was constantly listed irom all sections OF
The country. by leading sgrioulturists,
rnt;,a+ ono neriod HI time and hospitality
we're taxed bv those making pilgrimage
to examine his justly famous dock 80
distinct had this race become under his
careful breeding, from the original impor-
tstions, that by common consent as wen
"a bv the action of the leating WOOL
Growers Association they were nameu
the American Merino. From this tfme
the name of Edwin Hammond became
familiar to agriculturist's throughout 'n0
land, and probably no American IN any
department of agriculture has ever gained
a wider fame Whenever he appeared
abroad at agricultural gatherings, he was
always sought after, and pointed out as
the famous sheep breeder. We remember
incidents of this kind that came under
our personal observation. Amid all the
lamentations of the market, and the shad-
o,vz that have overcast wool growering,
so has n.gsr wavered from his purpose to
oroduce superior breed of Merino sheep,
and his foc%a are es excellent and pure
today IS ever. Though pe4aaps not so
many in number, "a in former years
His fame has been recorde an 'he history
Of agriculture in fact ia the a'se"FS OF
the country, and after generations #"'l
honor him for his contributions to this de-
partment of American agriculture.
In other departments of agriculture ne
hs.s been leading spirit and prominent
sctor. He was one of the founders of the
Vermont State Agricultural Society, and
has been connected with its board of dir
ectors from its organization. and was for
several ye.,4s its president He has been
,soeiated with such men as Gov. Hol-
WV. Colbnrn, Fl. FL. Baxter, Hen
,es, and long list OF others, who
T., sd side by side with him in the
. 1.ho cts interests until it stands
not;on ~el shy similar organiza-
av ~ ~ ", aud it is greatly in
IN this co.. :, faithful labors end
ed 70 b;s 80: resant property
oon,o;,o Is. suggestions
pos;,ion IT.. ' s~ly missed
comno.;l. ' 'ouhse- traly ex-
is associate r,o WIN oe ;, >cincel
. IN our councils. "there is al