Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1866-06-05
Wool Growing in the Northwest.

1 ''N- N't@No IN IhS production CT TINS
most important staple, the following
figures are given, ON the authority
OF one OF the leading wool firms OF
| Chicago, Messrs. Lewises 4 Brooks
TO whom we are indebted for much
valuable information on this sub
ject.
1852. lbs. 1853. rs. 1864 fbs. IOe5 rs
illinois 5, 100000 100000 100000 10000 900
Nisconsin~2,Z0oOo 200 So0O,000 100000 50000O0
Iowa.,....... 20 COCO 3.600o00 100000 60O0oO0
Minnesota~. 10000 100000 $4,000 100000
Motal..".lo, l5o,ooo l47ooooo I9,25oo0o "a $4,000
The yield OF the present ear may
be safely estimated at four millions
OF pounds above that of last year.
illinois wool comes mainly from
the northern and central portions of
the state, Wisconsin wool from the
eastern and southern portions.
The reported numbers in each
state are:
Illinois 100000
Wisconsin. l,200,0 600
Iowa. 1000 600
Minnesota. 1870 600
By the United States census Of
1860, Illinois had, at ihat time, only
1892 sheep, and the other states
proportionately less.
Sheep growing is one of the most
profitable branches Of farming in The
east where land costs so much more
than in the west, and it must con-
sequently be profitable in the west.
The Tribune says:
1t is now q conceded fact that
sheep are, for the prairie farmer,
much more profitable than horses,
cattle or swine, and it needs no gift
Of prophecy to predict that in few
years more this western country will
be the greatest wool field of the
world. In addition to our vast range
of pasturage, the strongest encour
agement to wool growers is the cost
Of transportation in proportion to its
value, TO the seaboard-beloW that
OF every other product Of the farm.
Even before the war it costs eighty
per ceat. of the value Of wheat to
send it from here to New York, pork
thirty per cent. and beef twenty per
cent, while the cost of Transports
ton of wool to the same market was
only four per cent. During and
since the war the relative proper
tons have been still greater Al
though this product is generally pur-
chased from the farmer at his own
door, still the cost Of transportation
is to him a matter of serious moment,
as it eze9ts a direct influences upon
the price when he obtains. Some
farmers have objected to the raising
Of sheep, that the young were diff
cult to rear, and that great care was
required to protect the old from the
severe storms which howl across our
western prairies. As experience is
obtained, however, they find these
difficulties IN 2 great measure less
than they were before wiz TO be-
lieve
The varieties Of sheep reared il
yhe northwest, mainly Spanish aud
French merinos and grade sheep, Az
eraging halfand three quarters blood,
are all hardy. Their young are har-
dy, and with little care st first are
easily reared, and little ingenuity
and small expense will provide stuff
ciont shelter for the adults of the
flock, both in winter and summer.
The 5paniards have q plthy proven,
that wherever the foot Of the Shcel
touches the land turns into gold, and
our farmers are rapidly approaching
the wisdom Of the saying and profit
ing by its lesson. A writer on this
subject graphically says Thus
have started a large majority Of the
pioneer sheep farmers of the new
states. The new settler builds lit
tie log house for himself and wife to
sleep in---a rail pen covered with
prairie grass for his "team" and his
COW, if he is so fortunate as tC own
such luxuries,-a high yard for q
fold, and then he is ready to com
mence wool growing. And in ten
years he can count more sheep and
sometimes more dollars worth Of
property than his eastern compe
titior, who commenced with every
thing prepared to his hand. The rail
pen gives place to the stable, aud
the uncovered fold yard is succeeded
by the fold yard and spacious sheds.
Fine fields OF domestic grass for
spring and fall feed and Of luxuriant
corn for winter feed, surround
the comfortable farm house. Noble
hoclzs Of thousands are driven up
nightly by his boys and hired men,
who in FIVE years more will be tiOck
masters themselves
THE VALUE
of wool has fuctuated greatly since
its culture commenced in this coun~
try but has never sunk below figures
highly remunerative to the farmer.
AS early as 1907 and 1903 full bIooded
merino wool sold in the cast for Sl00
per pound aud in 1909 it rose to
about 200 dollars and 90 continued
through the war Of 1912, choice lots
bringing as high as $3.50 per pound
but in 1915 it again sank to a com
parative low price. In 1873 coarse