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THE GENESEE FARMER. 



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' VERMONT AND THE WEST. 



BY S. BIRD ROCKWELL, OF CORNWALL, VERMONT. 



What relation docs Vermont sustain to the great west, on the important and deeply 

 interesting subject of wool-growing- ; and what breed, or breeds of sheep, are best 

 adapted to its wants and prosperity. 



To the first of these inquiries we answer: Its relation is that of a vast reservoir to a 

 distant jet or fountain ; it is that of a mine to the production and circuhition of the 

 precious metals ; or that of the vast and full ocean to the showers that fall in ti:i!oly 

 periods, for the refreshing of the parched and sufiering earth. Vermont can, without 

 boasting, challenge the world to produce a race of sheep surpassing hers in true and real 

 merit. That class of sheep which will produce the largest yield of good wool and mut- 

 ton from a given amount of feed, is undoubtedly the best. Vermont, in her celebrated 

 Merino flocks, has such a class.* 



It is an error to suppose that the Merino affords an inferior quality of meat. Th? 

 greatest epicures in Brighton pronounce such an opinion unfounded in fact, and unsup- 

 ported by reason ; it is destitute of any basis in truth, and may be regarded as the 

 dream of an Englishman, or a relic of the dark ages. For weight of fleece they are 

 unriv'^alled. In 1840, Vermont produced more wool than Ohio, and yet had nearly one 

 million less sheep. The saving to Vermont, in way of keeping, was nearly one and a 

 half millions of dollars, as the estimated expense is $1.50 per head per annimi. 



Western farmers are now eagerly inquiring for some branch of agricultural industry 

 that will give them better returns for labor and capital invested. Wool gi-owing is that 

 branch, and, in proportion as they obtain good sheep, so will they engage in this noble 

 and lucrative employment. But from whence can they be obtained ? Not from the 

 north, not from the south, nor from the west, — but from the cast. The breeders of 

 choice sheep in Vermont, aided by a few good flocks now springing into note in the 

 Empire State, must furnish this great field. Vermont has much of her own State to 

 supply with better sheep. It is a mistaken notion, so generally obtained west, that all 

 the sheep in Vermont are intrinsically valuable. The majority of the flocks in the State 

 are indifterent in their chai'acter, and possess no peculiar merit. There is doubtless more 

 thorough bred flocks in Addison and Rutland counties, than in all the rest of the State. 

 The reputation of these counties is well earned and deserving. Vast outlays of capital 

 and labor, during the last tweniy years, is the corner-stone of this reputation. Money 

 and time have been poured out like water, and no efforts spared to secure the best sheep 

 that the world could boast of. We can but hope that this reputation will be guarded 

 as a precious treasure. This eminent power and skill of j^roducing stock sheep, is the 

 cause of everything great in their position and history. It is the rude foundation of 

 their fair Corinthian pile ; and they are as much indebted to this as Egypt to her Nile, 

 Athens to her schools, or Rome to her policy and arms. As a box of precious jewels let 

 this reputation be preserved, and never suffered to tarnish by neglect or abuse. Shall 

 it be so? We have had our fears awakened that it might prove otherwise. Under this 

 reputation, very many indifterent sheep have been glossed over with oil and lamp-black, 

 and taken West and sold for high prices. This may be news to some ; others liave 



* "The Merino wether at four years old comes to perfection and makes a splendid mutton, and will invariably com- 

 mand a good price. I am sure that an acre of land will give as many pounds of Merino mutton as from any other breed, 

 and I am sure of decidedly better quality. In proof of this last declaration I can produce the most satisfactory testimo- 

 nials.'' — Theodore N. Davifssan, Enq., of Viryinia. 



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