Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1876-11-30
LIV { 7 c K.
PROCEEDINGS ILLINOIS WO0L-GR0WERs'
ASSOCIATION.

President A. M. Garland introduced Mr..
Samuel Archer, of Kansas City, Mo.
MI. Archer remarked that his invitation
to address the Illinois Wool-Growers Asso-
cation came to his home while absent, and
he had not had time to write out his thoughts.
RI would say here, that l have taken as
close notes as possible, and will do my best
to copy Mr.. Archer's words, but hardly ex-
pect to do him justice.-Secretary.
Mr.. Archer said: Sheep and sheep reg
istry improvement is in its infancy. We
are working equally as we'll as, or better
than any other country. But we are not to
look at the work as having in it any of the
light Of maturity. AS we have continued
to draw out and, increased important points
in sheep both as to animal and fleece, so we
may hope to go on from time to time. Hav-
ing reached a high point is no warrant that
we should cease our efforts to develop the
best points in sheep, and bring out others.
We should go on, increasing in weight of
fleece and animal.
Wool has increased in long wool families
from three or our pounds to ten or twelve
pounds, even sometimes reaching twenty
one hundred to one hundred and fifty
pounds, to two hundred and fifty pounds,
sometimes weighing three hundred pounds.
The Merino sheep came to us a small sheep,
seldom over fifty or sixty pounds in gross
weight, carrying a fleece of little better than
our pounds. We nave the same sheep now,
ranging in weight as high as one hundred
and fifty pounds, often over, and carrying a
fleece from fifteen to twenty pounds. The
development in the Merino has not been so
much in the line of carcass as jim fleece. l
believe the Merino capable of grcatimprove-
ment as a mutton sheep. The mutton quail
tiles are equal to any other breed. When
fatted, they command as high prices in Bos-
ton, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg,
Chicago and other large cities, as any other
made as cheap with Merino as other breeds
is, ten pounds of Merino mutton costs
no more now to produce it, than ten pounds
of other mutton breeds. I don't say one is
better than the other, but equally good.
Sheep nave been bred for different objects;
some from the beginning of improvement
were bred for mutton, some were bred for
wool, some for both wool and mutton.
Each has attained a high degree of perfec-
ton, but none are perfect; we must go on,
breed better and purer each year. Study
the points of perfection and breed for that
perfection. Reach high, and be sure to get
to the highest point.
The offering Of premiums at fairs should
not conflict. The different breeds do not,
or should not, como in competition. Per
lection in form is yet to come to the Merino.
Our best attention should be given to this
| do not want to be understood as go
ing against the mutton sheep. But | want
in all. Have u warm shoulder
for all the breeders of each family. Meri-
nos should be bred for perfection as a nut
ton sheep, as well as for wool-bearing.
of the points are, wide, high hips,
straight back, ribs coming out straight, bar
rel shaped, full and round, WIDEN the shout
ders AMI between the forelegs. The skin of
the Merino has been we'll talked of and writ
ten about. Some want a full wrinkled skin,
and breed for it some want a smooth skin.
and breed for hat. Start out in breeding
witha principle and adhere to it, or you will
fail. Have watched the improvements. In
1854 and 'G5. wrinkles in the skin were most
fashionable in Ohio and Western States. We
must breed them for the trade whether we
want to or not. | would like to ask if it
was not the wrinkly sheep that went down.
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