The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-05-11
Practical Hints to Sheen
Breeders.

4 "
10 the question frequently asked Us,
recently by sheep breeders will the
present growing demand for merino sheep
fol the western trade continue for any
length OF time, or is it an ephemeral dc.
mand which will shortly cease for want
OF proper market? We reply we have
no doubt that for twenty-five years to
come, till 1900. (and really we think for
twice that period, Why not p the steady
growth and enlargement of the west and
southwest will continue TO furnish a good
market for our favorite sheep. lu states
partly supplied, not one iu Ave have
bought who yet viii buy. if sheep Of the
right character are presented at their
doors, and easy terms Of payment offered
them,
Already. within the last thirty months
seventy eight car loads, over eight thous.
and head have left cur state and found
their way to the valleys of San Joaquin,
~-a =" S"n-a.asats ,~~A $50 l---.:-t:-s -r--
the wild oats and rich grasses Of those
fertile regions. Hundreds have also been
taken to Colorado and Texas, From in.
formation recently obtained from Rev.
Mr. Bent, formerly OF Middlcbury, now
in Kansas, and from other reliable
sources, we are made TO believe that no
finer country for the raising of merino
sheep can be found, than the valies of
the Kansas and Arkansas Rivers. Al.
though wool growing now gives, ,and has for
the last half century, given better returns
for capital and labor than any other farm
product, yet the increase of Aocks and
wool growing in the west, does not keep
pace with its increasing facilities for
sheep husbandry.
Thousands OF farms emerge every year
into condition las to fences and laying
down in grass for the business, which up
to this time have been in no fit condition.
This fact alone creates, and will for many
years TO come. market for all the sur.
plus of our best hocks. and when in add.
tion to this, low prices prevail for beef
and cereals, surely the market is enlarged
and the demand upon us is greatly en-
hanced. Another iorcible reason is found
in the fact that western sheep-breeders
must have. every other year at least, a
fresh supply of the best blood with
which to promote improvement and pro.
gress in breeding. This frequent recur-
renee to the most distinguished Aocks of
Vermont, will continue to make large do.
mands upon US so long as we maintain, Jas
breeders) our distinguished reputation
and prestage. But will not the west
soon supply itself and cut short the de-
mand for Vermont mernos We reply,
sheep breeding is an art. 1t is attained
by careful and extensive experience, unit
ed with sound practical judgment. The
problem may be stated thus How can
sheep be so coupled as to rule out defects
aud propagate excelleucies 10 their prog.
eny?
Ii is n simple verify to say, that the
best Vermont breeders are in advance OF
the western, and if wise and sound head
ed will maintain it, so that we can con-
stanty offer them better sheep than they
! can procure at home. Many western
man starts and runs well for time. BY
and by wool declines, wheat and beef ma.
terially advance, sheep are thrown in the
shade, and lacking tho persistency neces.
sary to final success, he abandons his
ideas as breeders, barters off his sheep
at a low price, and engages in that branch
that just then creates the most excite.
r ment.
. BY the time he has fairly embarked
and made a trip or two in that direction
: the wind shifts, wheat is down, beef il
r low, and wool is up to high water mark
0 Alas, the victim of folly deeply regret.
Q that he parted with his sheep, and re-
. solves that he will reinvest from the first
Q Vermont flock that may be offered fol
t sale in his neighborhood.
I From an experience of three and hal
/. years, in the sale Of merinos on the Pa
. cifc coast from 1860 to the middle o
= 1861 it is our decided opinion that Cali
y fornia, Oregon, Washington, Nevada
, Utah and Colorado, will all become larg
}, wool growing states The Willamett
Q Valley and numerous others in Orego
}. and Washington territory afford excellen
9 facilities for wool growing. The same i
d true in all of the above mentioned states
a 1t is fact, that the style of shee
i. wanted for the western trade is of goo
is sire. compact Morgan.build, short leg,
0, wide chested, white satin face, lsrg