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Encyclopedia Britannica - Main :: ALM-ANC |
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ALPACA , one of two domesticated breeds of South American camel-like ungulates, derived from the wild huanaco or guanaco. Alpacas are kept in large flocks which graze on the level heights of the Andes of southern Peru and northern Bolivia, at an elevation
great
In the textile industries
hair , obtained from the Peruvian alpaca. It is, however, more broadly applied to a style of fabric originally made from the alpaca wool but now frequently made from an allied type of wool, viz. mohair, Iceland, or even from lustrous English wool. In the trade, distinctions are made between alpacas and the several styles of mohairs and lustres, but so far as the general purchaser is concerned little or no distinction is made.The four species of indigenous South American wool-bearing animals are the llama, the alpaca, the guanaco and the vicuna. The llama and the alpaca are domesticated; the guanaco and the vicuna run wild. Of the four the alpaca and the vicuna are the most valuable wool-bearing animals: the alpaca on account of the quality and quantity, the vicuna on account of the softness, fineness and quality of its wool. In the early days of the 19th century, the usual length of alpaca staples appears to have been about 12 in., this being a three years' growth; but to-day the length is little more than about half this, i.e. a one to two years' growth, although from time to time longer staples are to be found. The fleeces are sorted for colour and quality by skilled native women. The colour of the greater proportion of alpaca imported into the United Kingdom is black and brown, but there is also a fair
hair , being very glossy, but its softness and fineness enable the spinner to produce satisfactory yarns with comparative ease.The history of the manufacture of this wool into cloth is one of the. romances of commerce. Undoubtedly the Indians of Peru employed this fibre in the manufacture of many styles of fabrics for centuries before its introduction into Europe as a commercial product. The first European importations would naturally be into Spain. Spain, however, transferred the fibre to Germany and France. Apparently alpaca yarn was spun in England for the first time about the year 18o8. It does not appear to have made any headway, however, and alpaca wool was condemned as an unworkable material. In 183o Benjamin Outram, of Greetland, near Halifax
cotton
cotton
young
great
The following statistics, taken from Hooper's Statistics of the Woollen and Worsted Trades of the United Kingdom, give an idea of the extent of the trade in yarns and fabrics of the alpaca type; unfortunately statistics for alpaca alone are not published. Alpaca, Vicuna, and Llama Wool imported into the United Kingdom. Year. Peru. Chile.l lb lb 1854 1,247,015 124,946 15,573 1,557 186o 2,334,048 263,635 520,402 58,443 1870 3,324,454 388,969 563,782 65,996 188o 1,412,365 98,644 890,627 64,621 1890 3,114,336 190,703 564,606 30,694 1900 4,236,566 205,839 1,148,694 51,116 1902 5,038,998 259,927 1,028,171 47,610 1905 2,301,522 119,321 2,302,650 112,367 Note.In 184o the imports into, exports from, and consumed in the United Kingdom of mohair, alpaca, vicuna, &c., amounted to L5o,o0o. Exports of Mohair and Alpaca Yarns for 1905. Russia 1,288,800 lb 168,596 Germany 9,851,200 1,145,795 Belgium 316,400 40,409 France 2,006,700 223,605 Exports of Alpaca from the United Kingdom to the United States. 1881 . fI,256 1900 . 30,631 1890 . 1905 4,954 Owing to the success in the manufacture of the various styles of alpaca cloths attained by Sir Titus Salt and other Bradford manufacturers, a great demand for alpaca wool arose, and this demand could not be met by the native product, for there never seems to have been any appreciable increase in the number of alpacas available. Unsuccessful attempts were made to acclimatize the alpaca goat in England, on the European continent and in Australia, and even to cross certain English breeds of sheep 1 Grown in Peru but shipped from Valparaiso.with the alpaca. There is, however, a cross between the alpaca and the llamaa true hybrid in every senseproducing a material placed upon the Liverpool market under the name " Huarizo." Crosses between the alpaca and vicuna have not proved satisfactory. The preparing, combing, spinning, weaving and finishing of alpacas and mohairs are dealt with under Wool.. (A. F. B.) End of Article: ALPACA If you wish, you can link directly to this article.
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