Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1875-12-02
VALUE OF SHEEP.

From an elaborate paper on Woolgrow-
ing in the United States,'' by George
Geddes, published in the Neao FORK Tribune,
we clip the following, in order to give our
readers an idea of what wool-growing is in
the States. That portion which relates to
their presence being a benefit to the soil is
worthy of careful consideration. If proper
care is exercised in herding, our range, in
stead of becoming a barren waste, rs is the
case in California, may year by year be i'm
proved. Such is the experience of the Cook
Brothers, the first wool-growers of Meagher
county. Their range is much better now
than previous to its occupation.
That portion, also, which refers to the
quality of wool in demand, and the prospect
of prices in the future, will be read with in
terest:
"Ont the highest-priced agricultural lands
the sheep is the most profitable animal to
raise for the markets, and the best animal to
manure the land. The eve gives two divi-
dends each year, her fleece and her lamb.
The males give larger fieeces and so to mar
ket well matured, sooner. The beef-pro-
OllSAAiS III - In olN1SACllSIS tlld tklC
grower must go OIL adding to his expenses
till the end of their lives, when in one
gross sum he must find his total compensa-
ton, If he can.
ssTfe cultivation and improvement of the
so-called 6 mutton " brands of sheep has, in
Great Britain, been carried so far that now
the most desirable flesh food, and the best
wool or a large proportion OF the wooden
goodsnow in most demand, are combined
in the same animal, and with these i'm
portrait qualities is joined early maturity
and wonderful powers to accumulate
weight of carcass in proportion to the food
used.
"Aheady our farmers in the older parts of
our country are turning their attention to
the raising Of such sheep as have proved
Themselves to be so profitablein Britain, and
are making crosses between these breeds
and the American Merino, producing a very
valuable animal in all respects. The press
sing demand Of our manufacturers for long
woolfor combing and the manufacture of
the now SO fashionable and valuable Worsted
and dress goods will cause a rapid increase
of flocks derived from the English breeds
and their crosses with the Merino-and the
increasing demand for good mutton and the
remunerative prices paid for the best grades,
will e o teach our farmers, through their
pockets, in which direction lies their road
to more profitable methods of conducting
their business than any they have before
known.
.iIt is not easy to see any good reason
why the older sections of our country, hav-
ind great cities and manufacturing centers
fof markets should not follow the example
of England in this matter. 1t has been
proved by the best test, that of actual trial,
thht our soils and climate are well adapted
tdthese heavy sheep. Nothing Of mcer-
tanty on this subject remains but the uncer-
ttnty of our National legislation. A policy
oafree trade in wool and wooden goods
wbuld for awhile destroy our purchasers OF
wool, and ruin both branches of the bust
ness. If the existing revenue laws Can be
allowed to remain, we may reasonably hope
hat at least the present prices of our wool
will be continued to lis, and if SO, we can
continue to expand the production. The
business will in the older parts of the copn-
try be a close one, yielding very small direct
profits, but indirectly SO very valuable as
dle means of making manure for raising
{, grain crops, that it will go on, and more
economy in food, housing, and general man
, agement will come in due time as skill in
~creases, and the mutton-producing sheep