Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-05-21

coast from 1860 to the middle Of 1861 il
is our decided opinion that California, Ore.
gon. Washington, Nevada, Utah and Colo.
rado, will all become large wool growing
states. The Willamette Valley and numer-
Gus others in Oregon aud Washington terri
tory afford excellent facilities for wool grow
ing. The same is true in all Of the above
mentioned states.
II is fact that the style Of sheep wanted
for the Western trade is Of good size, com.
pact Morgan-build, short legs, wide chested,
white satin face, large throttle and dewlaps,
broad tails, wrinkly neck aud smooth,
unwrinkled body, Especially in ewes), great
wooliness about tho head and legs, and
dense fleece Of long staple and beautiful
crimp, with q naturally dark tinge, opening
white as the snowaakes. Such sheep are
models, and will never lack for admirers or
purchasers. Letit be understood and forever
remembered that the dark tinge upon the
exterior Of the fleece must be natural and
not artificial. 1t must be derived from the
skillful hand of the breeders and not from
the hypocritical tracks of the paint brush.
Breeders must be sure to obtain bucks
having an extraordinary amount of oil or
yolk in their wool. There is no danger of
an extreme in this direction. The difficulty
is that the wool of most Aocks is too dry aud
harsh Especially is this the case with nine.
tenths Of all the native focks of the West.
II ence the necessity and demand for sheep
of different type TO cross with and remedy
this fault in all those Objectionable focks.
As consequence, until within o few years
past there has been yearly demand and
sale in Addison county Of over six thousand
head. Estimating the average price at $40
per head (which is low and we have $780,
600 accruing annually from this species of
commerce. Doubtless within a period of
fifteen years a round million of dollars had
been added to the wealth Of the county aris-
ing directly from this legitimate branch of
trade. As conse quence this constant drain
upon our hocks has thinned their ranks, and,
in too many instances, taken the cream, leav-
ing the focks much essened in value per
head. Indeed it is sad spectacle to see SO
many focks shorn of their glory, bereft of
those beautiful specimens, those perfect pat
terms Of the ovine race, which, dozen years
since, were apparent in all Aocks of any re-
pute. Surely Addison county, if not the
state, will ere long lose their prestige for
fine stock-sheep (onlY to a limited extent)
unless her downward course be Immediately
arrested.
To do this, recurrence must be had, on
the part of breeders, to the true principles
Of breeding and keeping. Farmers in Addi.
son county, it is for you to say whether the
legitimate business of supplying the new
states with stock-sheep shall continue una
bated or measurably cease If business
which annually brings a revenue to our
country from the West of the handsome item
of $50, 1000 to 1000, shall continue, you
must grow the sheep and supply the de-
mand. With you rests the decision, whether
the trade shall be continued, or whether
those who have made themselves familiar
with its details shall discontinue it and fold
their arms for want Of stock. We advise
candidly yet urgently the farmers of our
county and state to renew their zeal and
skill in sheep breeding. Engage systemati.
cally and with view 10 supply the Western
trade. Arm yourselves with No. l bucks.
Dye the stock in the wool. Breed some-
thing fashionable. Have an eye to style.
Become, if you are not, tip-top keepers.
Attend the fairs. Look and learn. Be
ambitious to excel. Keep the fire of i'm
provement in constant glow. Keep broad
awake, improve your chances, and you can
surely make every breeding eve earn (net)
the interest of 500 to $3.50 per head Mr..
Milo Williamson and several others in Corn.
wall have sold for the past three dull years
their entire crop of lambs at home, at an
average price Of $40 per head-the interest
Of S400 from each breedi ng eve. The de-
mand to-day is good, and constantly increas.
ing--Middle6ary Register.