Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-07-31
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OAsbAO 'AASAAA " eSNoS WIZ iAASNS fiNA~N~
system. We have, therefore, urged upon
them, from time to time, an increase ct
their hocks of sheep. Our own experience
aud observation have satisfied Us that there
is no kind Of farming that is 80 pfofta-
BE as raising sheep and wool. 1t matters
not whether you are on the Black noun
tains Of Vermont or in the fertile plains Of
Texas; upon the prairies Of the west, orr
the new solitary hills and mountains Of the
south. Everywhere and anywhere the
sheep will live and thrive, and with proper
care, pay more for the labor end capital IN
vested than any other animal, or any 9TH
or system of farming. 1t is one OF the
most useful and economical machinery in
which has been given to us to convert the
vegetation of the farm to money. Were
it for the first time now presented to us,
we should consider the sheep one of the
most wonderful animals nature has produ-
ced for the use of man. Its annual growth
Of wool SO admirably calculated for human
clothing, and used IN every portion Of the
globe--its skin and flesh, and in many To-
calities, its milk, all serve for the necessities
or luxuries of man. There is no animal
IN which is 50 little waste Or so little loss:
For at least seven years of It's life it will
give an annual fleece each year equal to
the value Of the carcass, and equal to the
cost Of keeping, giving as general thing
profit Of ten per cent. Of all other
animals the COW is nearest the sheep in the
profit it returns to the farmer; for if well
cared for it will pay for itself each year
by the milk it yields, and defray also a por-
ton Of the cost of keeping.
Is there any branch of farming or any
other legitimate business that viii yield
for series of years profit of ten per cent?
We assume that there is none. The very
idea that profits of ten per cent, could be
realized in any branch of business, would
set the whole capital Of the country in mo-
ton. Farms would be sold-merchants
would sell off their stocks-bankers close
their banks, and, indeed every body who had
money to invest would rush into this gold
mine.
We declare without fear Of contradiction
IN truth, that there is hardly a location in
the whole Union where any kind cf farm
animals can subsist, that sheep if properly
attended to, will not give net profit on
the investment, of at least SO per cent;
and that with the ordinary management
Of farms, it will give some 90 to 40 per
cent.
That there is no danger of OVERRIDING
the business, we have shown repeatedly in
previous numbers. The annual increase of
population in the Union, requires the wool
from three millions of sheep, so that to
clothe the increased population would re-
quire an annual incrsase Of sheep, equal to
four millions.
But when we come to consider that there
Is now an annual deficiency Of over TO-
100000 of pounds, there can be no doubt
that wool growing is the most stable pur-
suit that can be engaged in. We cannot
glut the market, nor will there be any long
time that the market will be depressed be-
low profitable point of production. On
the contrary, it is certain that no farm pro-
duct goes less often below this point than
wool. 1t has long been a source of con-
slant wonder to us that so many farmers
IN the Western States neglect the sheep
for the preearious business of grain sowing. /
Every year will give them a crop of wool, |
If they but take care Of their sheep. But
there is no certainty for wheat, prepare !
the ground ever SO well. IF we have been
rightly informed, the wheat raised IN the
west has cost the farmer more than he has |
obtained for it to market. Too much de-
pendence has been placed upon this most
uncertain and expensive crop. We have
tried sheep on the same farm, and we are
free to confess, that, although we have al
good market at our door, yet we can raise
given amount Of money much easier with |
a flock of sheep that with wheat. Butt
we find it we'll to raise both wheat and
sheep, as by that means we find we get
better profit than to be confined to either
alone, which indeed most land that can be
plowed is the best for to come at regular
and not long periods under the pillow. With
us and in this region, four years is not long
as ii proves profitable to leave land to grass.
Very few now resort to naked fallows.--
Some NOW their clover early and then let
1t grow till August, when it is turned I'M
der, cultivated, aud sown to wheat; others
NOW the first year, pasture with sheep the
second, and then pillow. Every good far
mer keeps few sheep al least. Very ma
ny who have been in the habit of putting
up large quantity Of pork for summer
use, now select few weathers and give
them an extra keep, and make their sum
mer meat Of Enthusiastically the most
healthtl that can be used fresh--and thus
realize the money for their pork flesh.
The Inducements to grow wool are, 81
sure market, less fuctuation from the point
OF profitable production than any other
iafm product, a larger interest or profit on
the capital invested than any other bust
ness, and therefore the best business as
general thing that the farmer can follow.
- Wool Grower.
Ny" - Practical Ea~->,o,.