The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1875-01-09
The Sheep Interest in Kansas.

tie down upon regular basis with vast
proportions. The time has long passed
when farmers in the eastern States could
grow wool at a profit in competition first
with Ohio and then with Michigan and
Illinois. 1t is wise in them, therefore
to breed good animals to be sold for prop
agating purposes, and thus Vermont men
did good service 10 the sheep interest by
raising the grade of American Merinos to
what is indispensable-a fixed type
Presently wool growers further west
competed with the Ohio men by produc.
ing large quantities of wool, and 50 they
of Ohio began breeding fine sheep; thus
gradually one section after another has
been superseded as specially wool pro-
ducing one, and found the greatest profit
il breeding for fine points, and now good
rams are produced in western Iowa and
Missouri to be sent to the plains and the
Rocky Mountain countries.
Some five years ago the Texas flock
masters introduced good male animals
from Vermont and Ohio with speedy
favorable results, aad last year the large
fock-masters of New Mexico followed
their example.
The Texas wool of this year is every
way acceptable to manufacturers, as the
total shrinkage was only about 40 per
cent; and as they paid from SO to 40
cents only per pound, and, as most of it
is capable of making fine de LANES, the
profits have been handsome. The best
Texas wool comes from the northern part
of that State. region of plateaus, where
the grass is fine and rich. More care ha
been taken with the flocks than formerly,
q good blood has come in, and the aver
age gain has been over pound.
In few years more it is likely to be
increased to three and even four pounds.
The wool comes into market freer from
dust and dirt, because it is now largely
transported by rail, while formerly it
was hauled several hundred miles over
dusty rosds for weeks to reach point of
shipment. The business is now rapidly
spreading over vast extent of country,
reaching from Southern TEXAS to the
Missouri river, while the advancing focks
have found their way through the passes
of the mountains into the elevated val
leys of the Grand and Gunnison rivers.
The increase of the wool product of
California has been almost miraculous,
and it is estimated that the clip of this
year will reach 100000 of pounds
against 32,OOO,OOO in 1873. The wool
capacity of that country is certainly
great, and 80 also is that of the country
east, including Nevada and Utah; but i.
is doubtful whether the grass will ever
produce wool as profitable as that grown
in the Rocky Mountain country and the
plains of Texas. The present aspec. in
this direction is unfavoaable, for the
shrinkage of California wool is over so |
per cent though this may he due to the |
comparatively low grade and to the ex-
tremely large aocks, as such do not gen.
orally receive the care given to the small
er ones. The profits to sheep growers in
this region is greater than in any part of
our country, for it is stated on what
seems g"od authority that the increase
of Aocks is from 80 to 80 per cent per
annum, leaving the wool which will far
more than balance the OUTLAWS for herd
ing. As a general thing, no winter feed
is required, except for ewes.
But, with such advantages, the bust
hess is far from being popular for the
reason that constant attention is requir
ed. The sheep must 6c in sight of
shepherd all day long, and their condi.
lion must be watched by an experienced
'ye with the view Of providing remedies
n detail whenever needed. This signi.
les that one is to lie rs faithful As first. {
lass mechanic OF salesman and for want
# these qualities the losses in sheen
growing have been 80 heavy that large
locks have gone to ruin, both in the
ettled States and out ON the plains
New Nork Tribune.