Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-11-03
Wool Growing in Texas.


As to the measure of success that will attend
the business here, it will depend almost en-
tirely on the man who conducts it. Prop.
ery managed, it is one of the most remuner-
atve pursuits that can occupy the attention
Of man of good judgment, who will person
ally supsviutend his hocks at the same
time ii is business in which no one can
succeed who will not either himself, or by
some faithful and experienced assistant, give
it close attention.
All will readily understand that ranch
here to commence with on stock Of 5000
head will be at a much less pro rata ex-
pense than one Of 900 head. Certain ex-
penses have to be incurred for one thousand
head, which need not be materially increased
for three thousand head To commence
right, sheep ranch must necessarily be
fitted up with one good corral-to be used
for dividing, catching and marking sheep,
with dipping vat, shearing floors and wool
shed-and when properly arranged, so as to
handle easily and satisfactorily one thousand
head of sheep, can easily be used for three
Aocks of that size. The corral for these
purposes is not used for corraling the flock
at night, or at any other time, except when
there are some to catch, or the flock is to be
divided.
1t is very difficult at present to get good
lot of graded ewes in this part of the state
for new ranch, that will be of uniform
character and age, and those who will be sat
| is6ed with nothing less than fine ewes TO
start with, will be obliged to pay strong
price for them, or take flock as they run
Of all ages, from one to eight years, or else
import from some other state. Experienced
men will, of course act in the start upon
their own Judgment in the selection OF their
stock of breeding ewes, but | would most
certainly advise the inexperienced against
the purchase Of high grade ewes, either here
or to bring hero from northern state. Good
select Mexican ewes, two years Of age, to be
crossed with strong well-wooled Merino or
Southdown bucks will not only be II safer
class of stock for a commencement, but they
will cost less than one.half the outlay to
start with, and the beginner can have uni
iormity in his fiocks that he cannot get at
any reasonable expense, If he buy high grade
sheep as n basis. The generally received
opinion that the Mexican ewes are all alike,
is erroneous, as | can prove to any man who
will 90 with me to see 4 few hocks in this
section, and compare them with others that
have been carefully selected one hundred
miles south Of the Rio Grande river, and
brought here during the past winter. The
experience of a number of men who have
tried it, proves that breeding ewes brought
here from Northern States do not seem to do
well, or give satisfactory returns either in
increase or wool for the first season. a
flock Of well.selected Mexican ewes, from one
to three years old, will cost, delivered at San
Antonio, Sl.75 per head. \ mixed lot OF
all ages can be bought for Sl.40 to $3.50
These selected ewes will give from 80 to 10
p0r cent increase, as they are good breeders
and nurse well. They will give from two
and three.quarters to three pounds OF wool
after the first clip or after being here one
year. If they are brought late in the sum-
mcr from the Rio Grande, they will not give
over two pounds OF wool the next spring, as
they will lose most Of the summers growth
by driving through the chapparal on their way
up. II purchased after Oct. lst, they will
, be shorn Of their summer fleece, as the GUS
tom in Mexico and southwestern Texas is to
shear their sheep in March and October, but
fall shearing is discarded now by most of the
flock masters around San Antonio. A safe
E estimate of cost Tor one flock, or 1900 head
taking as a basis Mexican ewes, will be
about as follows:
800 head selected Mexican ewes, at sI,7j,. s262jO
, 30 head good rams, S0uthdown or Morino,
Ono good Mexican shepherd, sl25O per month, 1870
G Extra hand during lambing time, .....,..... $50
shearing and sackng 800 ieeces at Glc,..... g3l
Salt and sundres, 1000
Total. .......................,....$ 4,2s37
This will cover all outlay for the flock 70
= one year, except the corrals, and there i
). such wide range Of expense in this item
, that it can only be properly estimated on {
= knowledge Of the proposed future operations
The expense of corral would be about 5000
y all complete, and is ample for from three Il
G five thousand sheep. AS to the grazn
!. ands-there are Of plenty Of locations to b.
,. rented for a term Of years at a cost thai
II would not be more than the taxes on the
e land. The estimate for shearing and sack
d ing is full. My Mexican shearers worke
q for three cents per head this spring, aud
b.. furnished them rations. After keeping tn
y sheep here one year, if they have been wei
s. selected, they will give full three pounds pc
t. head, and the halt.blood yearlings will shea
4. full as much as the original flock, aud tn
d wool of course OF a much better grade 70
market. Mexican wool, unwashed, in tn
= y San Antonio market, sold this year at froI
D. l3 to ID cents per pound.
IN A beginner should make his arrangement
J. so as to carry on Operations-the purchas
of original flock and the payment Of all ex
penses for the first years DISSATISFACTION
) using the income from his first crop Of WOO
ie This should bo left to go toward payment {
I'd the second years expenses, and he can the
of calculate on meeting all his necessary e'
. penses connected With his hocks from Il
proceeds Of wool. After tho third year b
'n will have an annually increasing surplus
income over expenses from wool alone, lea
ing the increase Of the flock to be the ma
49, basis Of profit
of Fifteen hundred head is considered abo
a the average number for one shepherd to tai
an care Of here, with help for one month
lambing time. would prefer to have laml
come from October to December, 80 as
I'm have all docking and trimming done in Jal
i'll uary, and to have the lambs out Of the WI
,er at shearing time. The grass in the wint
p months is fresher than in the summer, b
mt the principal reason is, that during the SUI
me mer months it is almost impossible either
ry dock or castrate lambs in this climate, as 4
in screw worm is one OF the most troublesoI
an aud fatal Of all pests, and this will apply
lse cattle and horse stock as well as shee
IRE Sheep here have an abundance of grass I
os- year round. The enforcement OF our sta
os. law in regard to cutaneous diseases will
nd fectually prevent the spread of scab, a
with ordinary care il is easily eradicat