New-York tribune., 1870-09-24
WHAT | KNOW OF FARMING.
XXXIV.
XNXlV.
lSHEEP AND WOOL-GROWING.
BY HORACE GREELEY.

ton, we grow some Three Millions of bales annuaiy
whereof we export fully two-thirds But of this we
reimpOrt portion in the shape of Fabrics and OF
thread and yet, while we are largely clothed IN
Wooens, and extensive sections of our country are
admirably adapted to the rearing of Sheep ana
the production Of Wool we not only import COLI
siderable share of the WoOlens in when we are
clad but we also import a considerable proportioh
of the Wool wherefrom we manufacture the "oolens
fabricated on our own soil. In other words; while
we are a nation of farmers and herdsmen we fal 10
grow so much Wool needed to shield us against
the caprices and incemencies of our diverse but
generally ftful climates.
There is seeming excuse for this IN the fact that
extensive regions in South America and Australia
are devoted to Sheep-gTowng where animals are
neither housed nor lerded, and where they are ex-
clusivey fed, at all seasons, those native grasses
which are the spontaneous products of the soil L
presume Wool is in those regions produced cheaper
than il can permanently be any considerable area
of our own soil; and yet believe that the United
States should, and proftaby might, grow as much
Wool as is needed for their own large annual con-
sumption. Here are my reasons:
l. When the predominant interest OF British Man
ufactures constrained the entire repeal OF the duties
ON imported Wool, whereby Sheep-growlng had
preyiously been protected the farmers apprehended
that they must abandon that department OF their IN
dustry but the event proved this calculation mis-
take They grow more Sheep and at better profit
to-day than they did when their Wool brought a
higher price under the influence of Protective duties
because the largely increased price of their Mutton
more than makes up to them their loss by the re-
dueed prices of their Wool So, while do not expect
that American Wool viii ever again command such
high prices as it has done at some periods
in the past, / am confident that the gene
raj appreciation in the prices of Meat, which
has occurred within the last ten fifteen years. and
which seems likely to be enduring, will render
Sheep growing profitable in the future than 1t
has been in the past. At all events, while our
farmers are generally obliged to sell their Grain and
Meat at prices somewhat below the range of the
British markets, it is hardly conceivable that they
should not afford to grow Wool, for which they
receive higher average prices than the British
farmers do, who feed their Sheep on the produce Of
lands worth from $500 TO $500 gold per acre.
ii. Interest being relatively high in this country
and capital with most farmers deficient, it is a
serious objection to cattleTowing THAT the farmer
must wait three or four years before receiving a
return for his outlay If he begins poor, with but
few cows and team, he naturally wants to rear
and keep all his calves for several years in order to
adequately stock his farm, so that little or no
income is meantime realized from his herd; whereas
flock of Sheep yields fleece per head each year,
though not even lamb is sold, while its increase in
numbers is far more rapid than that of a herd of
cattle.
Ill Almost every farmer at least in the old States,
finds part of his land infested with bushes and
brars, which to flourish by cutting, if he finds
time to cut Them and which the ruggedness of his
soil precludes his exteuninating by the plow. In
every such case, Sheep his natural alies-hs I'M
paid poce-his vigilant and thorough going assist
ants. Give them an even start in Spring with the
bushes and briaTs let their number be sufficient;
and they are very sure to ont ahead in the
Fall.
w. Our farmers in the average are too much con
fined in Summer and Autumn to salt meat, and es
pecialy to Pork. However excellent in quality thes
may be- their exclusive use is neither healthful no
palatable With a good flock Of Sheep the most Sc
cluded farmer may have fresh meat every week il
having and harveSt-time if he chooses and he will
find this better for his family and more satisfaction
to his workmen, than diet wherefrom fresh meat j
excluded.
" Now | do not insist that every farmer SHOULD
grow Sheep; for know that many situated
that they cannot In stony regions, where walls ar
very generally relied for fences, am aware tina
Sheep are with difficulty kept within bounds; anC
this is serious objection In the neighborhOod o
cities and large villages, where Fresh Meat may b.
bought from day to day, one valid reason for keep
ing them has no applications yet hold that twice a
many of our farmers as now have focks ought t.
have them, and would thereby increase their profit
as well as the comfort of their families.
The most serious obstacle to Sheep husbandry il
this country is the abundance and depredatiOns o
dogs. Farmers by tens Of thousands have sold off, o.
killed off their fOcks mainly because they could no
otherwise protect themselves against their frequent
defamation by prowling curs which were not wOrtf
the powder required to shoot them. 1t seems to mt
that farmer thus despoiled is perfectly ustifabe il
placing poisoned food where these cut-throats viii
be apt to find il while making their next raid his
Sheep should have scruple in 80 doing, pro
vided could guard eiectually against the poisoning
of any other than the culpnts.
In well-settled, thrifty region, where ample
barns are provided Judge that the losses of Sheep
10y dogs may be reduced TO minimum by proper
precautions. Elsewhere than in wild new frontier
settlements, every flock Of Sheep should have a
place Of refuge beneath the hay-1oOr of good barn
and be trained TO spend every night there as well
to seek this shelter against every peting storm
Even if sent some distance to pasture, an unbarred
lane should connect such pasture with their fold
and they should be driven home for few nights il
necessary until they had acquired the habit of COM
ing home at nightfall; and am assured that Sheep
thus lodged will very rarely be attacked by dogs OF
wolves.
AS yet our farmers nave not generally reallzed
that enhancement Of the value Of Mutton, whereby
their British rivals have protted largely. Their
fathers began to breed Sheep when fleece sold for
much moro than a carcase, and when fneness and
abundance of Wool were the main consideration
But such is longer the fact at least in the Eastern
and Middle States. To-day, large and long -wOoled
Sheep of the Cotsw0ld and similar breeds are grown
with far greater profit in this section than the fine
wooled Merino and Saxony, except where choice
specimens of the latter be sold at high prices for
- u IL