The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-11-23
More Sheep Wanted.

From almost every quarter of the
country we hear complaints of sheep be.
ing improbable at the present prices of
wool and mutton. In several instances
we have noticed articles going the rounds
of the press headed "What shall we do
with our Sheep" and other similar titles
which are likely to cause those engaged
in sheep husbandry to be alarmed at the
future prospects of their very important
industry.
Now, it is an old saying that "straws
show which way the wind blows" and
we think there are some straws connected
with the wool interest which may be
watched in order that the farmer may see
whether it is advisable for him to kill off,
or keep his tlocks. Wool is staple ar
ticle always in demand. and for which q
certain amount of money can be obtained,
and the only question for our farmers to
decide is whether they can produce it
with profit, not by basing their calcula.
tions upon the lowest price. but upon the
average for a series. of years.. As the
prices of all staple articles arc liable to
fluctuations the only safe guide in their
production is to base all calculations of
profit upon averages, and In doing this
with wool we think there are very good
and substantial reasons to be hopeful for
the future. One straw which points to a
hopeful future is the fact that we have not
as yet been able to produce all the wool
required for our own use IN this country.
Last year we paid foreign countries some
$50, 900 900 for wooden goods, and about
$11 ,0O0, 900 for wool, and to make up this
deficiency We need some 10000, 900 more
sheep. If our farmers complain of the
low price of wool, what can they say of
it in countries whence the deficiency IN
our own markets is made up. Cannot we
produce wool as cheap as the foreign pro-
Queer can land it in our markets, with all
the extra expense to which he is compelled
to submit before placing it in competition
with the home raised article! If not,
why not? Wehave as cheap lands as any
nation, and as good a climate for sheep
husbandry as can be found on the globe,
consequently, there must be something
wrong either in the breeds, or manage
ment of focks, which makes wool grow
ing Improbable, if it is really so, as fire.
quently asserted.
But we are inclined to believe that
sheep husbandry is as profitable as any
other branch of agriculture, and although
there may be some bad years. still
upon the whole, raising wool and mutton
will yield as large returns for the capital
and labor invested as the production of
beef, pork, Or any Of the ordinary farm
crops.
Raising wool is not so exhaustive to
land as the raising of grain. and the differ
ence should always be placed to the credit
of the wool crop, which, it is to be feared,
many of our farmers fail to do in making
up their accounts. The balance sheet, If
it shows only the cash part of a farmer
operation with sheep, and especially if it
does not extend over a period of more
than one or two years, will not give fair
exhibit of either profit or loss, for fields
may have been enriched to such an extent
that they will give large increase in the
yield of grain, grass, or other crops for
several years after the sheep have been re-
moved.
Taking this favorable view of the sub
ject we would not advise farmers to sell
or otherwise dispose of their focks, but
endeavor to improve and increase the
number. 1t may be necessary in some
instances to find a more economical
method of keeping and feeding, but this
can readily be done by studying the sys-
TENS practiced by the most successful
breeders in this and other countries
Rural Neao Yorker. .