Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-04-07
sheep rever-soms General nlnts TO Farmers.

Sheep Feyer-Some General Hints TO Farmers.
A popular sheep epidemic or fever for
sheep is having run among the people Of
Grant county and we guess throughout
the West. Well had it been for people to
have foreseen one or two years ago that
the war would produce heavy rise in the
price Of wool aud sheep. But people are
dull 10 anticipate and slow to act; they
cannot believe, except when convinced
through all the five senses, nor act until
led to act by the example of sharp lead
ers-invaliaby so managing to take to
themselves all the first profits Of the spec
ulating fever.
Sheep bear almost any price al present,
varying from $500 t. $1,000 per head
Such prices may last something over a
year, or until wool comes down. They
may then sink as much below Their real
value as they have gone above. In well
managed flocks of sheep the natural in
crease is large each year, often 100 per
cent, usually fourth to third, counting
in losses from various causes. In two
years the sheep census may be double ihe
present.
There are in Grant County al ont 25,-
600 head of sheep Of mature age for wool.
The sheep and spring lambs may count up
to 10000 head. Total valuation of sheep,
wool and lambs net far from $250,000 at
present prices. Next year the sheep and
wool valuation for the county may reach
half million dollars. The year after the
fever and price may be SO abated as to
exhibit no improvement over the year be-
fore in valuation. Since the rise, the
large focks have been greatly divided into
small lots to accommodate small farmers.
There are probably now three times as
many proprietors of sheep as there were
year ago, each with his five; ten or TWEEN
ty head. The interest is therefore widened
EXTENDED to perhaps 200 persons in the
county, may BE- rlore. So there viii be
more men TO talk about sheep, more de
mand for information-more learned be-
cause more learners, for people don't learn
much about what they have no interest in
With the increased demand for sheep,
there will follow deep interest in the
kind and quality of sheep. So there viii
be fine stock breeders brought from the old
sheep shambles of New York and New
England to accommodate such demands.
Il is true that such spectators will want to
mako money for their trouble and expense
in bringing on sheep,of the finest quality
for breeders. But they viii be entitled TO
liberal ompensation-yery liberal; peor lie
owe them generous patronage and ought
to pay them. We presume Mr. Eastman
will pay out more than $4,000 for breed
ers TO supply the public with a higher
grade Of wool, and doubtless be the means
Of adding total valuation to the sheep
and wool of this county If at least $50,
600. We are willing to stake our reputa-
ton upon this affirmation before judges
chosen to decide in two years from this
time. He believes that we have the best
sheep country in the U. S., vastly the best,
and that Grant is good for million dol
lars worth of wool each year after good
start is made, especially ifine grade wool
sheep Get an early start. Upon his judg- |
ment he ventures large capital. Men
talk and venture large opinions sometimes,
but not many will back up their sayings
with their money. We ike our friend
Eastman on this account; what he believes
and says he is ready to back up with his
money.
SIS 1t seems to be but late discovery, rath-
er IN appreciation. that the high, rolling,
mountainous wild lands of Grant are the
best in the world for sheep. The bald
bluffs along the streams, especially the
hundred miles Of river coast on the South,
West and North, are fit for no purpose but
sheep range. Such land may be had for
a tritie-we guess for the taxes, as most of
it has been forfeited to the county and
may be had for two or three bits per acre.
In the valleys between are the finest bot
tom lands, the purest water spirting from
the blows and nought to hinder but
wolves. The lover Of pastoral life may
squat in these secluSions and scarce be
known abroad except to God. We have
traversed these bluffs and wales, have
tired and sought repose in The shady |
recesses where there are springs to cool the
heat Of aJune sun aud flowers to charm the
life.
GERMAN PApERs.-We are sending for
great numbers of copies Of the Il inois
Stqass Zeitung to support the orders Of
Germans in this county at the several
ID - g. Ill., Zn:3,,... e q ,So,,o. ~ a.