The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-05-16
Annual Fair of the State Wool Growers
Association.

Association.
The annual Fair and Sheep SheariDg
Festival of the Wisconsin Wool Growers
Association, was held at Ripon, last week, ,
the 9Th and 9th inst. We understand that
owing to the cold and backward season, the
exhibition of stock was not as great as was
anticipated, though quitea number Of fine
blooded sheep were on the ground. We
take the following synopsis of the discussion
ON the diseases of sheep, and the prepare
ton of wool for the market, &c. from the
full report of the Fair in Madison State Jour-
nal, as being of most interest to the wool
growers of this county:
The Journal speaking of the meeting on
Wednesday evening says:
The meeting was opened by Mr.. II. II,
Dixon, President of the Ripon Farmers
Club, who cordially welcomed the State
Wool Growers Association to the place, in
few appropriate remarks. He was ever
happy to welcome co-laborers in any de-
partment of agriculture, and especially
wool growers, and to act with them in pro
noting its several interests. The Associa-
ton he represented desired light, experience
and observation. 1t had done considerable
during the two years of its existence the
excellent fair grounds located here was one
of the results of it's efforts; and it had done
much other important work. .r..
In the absence of the President of the
Wool Growers Association, Hon. GEoFGE
F. WHEELER was called to the chair.
Messrs. Dixon, of Ripon, HAMMOND, of
Fond du Lac, and GRAVES, of Columbia,
were appointed committee to report top
les for discussion at this meeting. After a
few minutes the committee reported the
following topics: .,..
1st The report of the Farmers Club of
Ripon on the diseases of lambs.
I'd. The rules of wool buyers in the pur-
chase of wool.
Sd. The best kind of sheep for this state,
and the best method of improving them.
Mr.. w. B.. K1NGsBURY, Of the Ripon Far
mers' Club, then read the report of the
Committee of the Club, forming the basis
of the frat topic. The principal point dis
eUssed in this report was the disease known
as goiter, and its causes. The report took
the ground that this disease in young
lambs, was the result of too high feed, and
too much confinement of the ewes, and the
kind of feed also was discussed.
MIR. HAMMOND, of Fond du Lac, could hardl y
agree with the report in many of its posi-
tions. AS far as feeding tame or wild hay,
or grain was concerned, he had been unable
to discover that it made any difference
with the goiter He had practieed all ways
and still the goiter would exist; and the dis
ease was not confined to lambs. He had a
mule with punches on his neck like goiter;
and had pigs affected in the same
manner He never discovered any differ
ence in this respect from the manner of
feeding
Mr. GRAVES, of Columbia, agreed with
the report in some respects; in others he
disagreed. In regard to air, the ideas of
the report were good; but his experience
was like that of Mr.. HAMMoNO's in regard
to feeding. He did not believe the housing
of sheep had any effect upon the lambs He
was entirely at loss to account for this
disease of goiter 1t is not confined to
lambs. Many colts, pigs, &C., were troub-
led with il very much, Old sheep were
also affected with it frequently, but
it was of no material injury to them. He
formerly thought it was injurious to breed
ing animals 10 keep them fat; but of late,
he had the best luck with lambs where the
ewes were kept fat.
Mr.. Dixon then asked if he could state
whether, in his opinion, the goiter was in
herited.
Mr.. GRAVES did not think it was inner
tied. Last year he had two mares both
troubled with the Agoiter. They each had
colts-one had the goiter, the other had
not. Many lambs Gle OF. this disease when
no punches can be discovered. 1t is con
stitutional with them; they have no vitai-
ty and die almost immediately. A
Mr.. STEWART of Danville, kept few
sheep of high grade. Hehad never a lamb
troubled with goiter He fed marsh hay
furnished. warm quarters in winter; gave
some exercise in yards fed grain and had
plenty of good water in the yards He
thought marsh hay was preventive of goi-
ter. His sheep were kept in close sheds !;
the sheds were cleaned out in February, and
again in the spring. He had them arranged
SO as to afford good circulation of air.
MIR. Dixon desired all the information
possible on this subject; it was a very i'm
portant one, and he would ask if any man
present knew of any instances where goiter
had occurred where marsh hay had been
fed.
Mr.. Chaplin, of Ripon, was satisfied that
no theory in regard to goiter could be sus-
tanned by facts Any theory on this sub
ject could be overthrown in moment. 1t
seemed entirely unaccountable and unac-
counted for.
At this point the second topic was taken
up, to-wit: ''Rules of wool buyersi in the
purchase of wool"
Mr.. g. n, LYMAN had bought considera- |
bic wool in the past; but he did not know
that buyers had any particular rules. 1t |
would be an advantage, no doubt, if they
had. He thought buyers should unite, and
not purchase wool unless it was in good or
der. Wool should be properly assorted He
thought such course would result in much
advantage to sellers as well as buyers.
Mr.. GRAVES said it had been the practice
generally with buyers, where they could
detect unwashed wool, to take it at one
third discount Wool would not shrink in