The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-08-18
WOOL.
What Wyoming is Doing to
Supply the Eastern Markets.
Past, pre.sa, and Future OF sheep Interest,

Past, Present and Future Of Sheep Interests.
The attention of business men all
over the Eastern States is being attrac-
ted to the vast stock interests Of Wyo-
ming more and more every year in con-
sequence of the tangible evidences CIV
en- of our vast u in that respect.
Our peculiar advantages for furnish
ing beef cattle are now and have for a
long time been acknowledged by all who
have taken pains to investigate the
matter. This settled, the sheep ques-
tion arises prominently in the minds of
our Eastern friends. The fact is that
Wyoming to-day occupies a proud posi-
tisn among her sister territories as a
wool-producing region; a result regard
ed a few years ago as scarcely attain
able.
Mr.. N. L. Post, Of this city, one of
our most prominent sheep growers and
dealers in wool, informs us that he has
just concluded his last shipment Of wool
to the east. During the current year
he has purchased and. shipped 1906
sacks, amounting to 541, 103 pounds, for
which he paid 500, 429.0 3. His. ship
ments were made in part to Philadel-
phia, the remainder to Boston.
Unfortunately, prices are lower in
the East this year than last, though
the wool shipped is of arr improved
quality. This, however, is no fault of
Wyoming, so far as the amounts paid
by Eastern wool merchants is concern
ed.
1t is an undisputed fact that there
has been a steady increase in the wool
product of Wyoming during the past
four or five years. The outlook for the
future is indeed very encouraging, and
the men engaged in this branch of bust
ness have every reason to congratulate
themselves on the brilliant prospect be-
fore them. When we consider the dis
advantages with which the business
has in the past been forced to contend,
1t seems remarkable that it should have
attained its present status under such
discouraging circumstances.
When the first few herds of Mexican
sheep were driven in 1S73-4-5, from
New Mexico to Wyoming, the men en-
gagged in the business were, as a rule,
without experience in sheep raising.
They were neither familiar with our
climate, o the protection necessary to
insure safety to their herds during the
winter months.
New Mexico being the only market
from which sheep could be purchased
to advantage in large herds and driven
here, and the Mexican sheep while
shearing but two or three pounds of in
ferior wool, possessed qualities which
rendered them desirable as stock sheep.
Prominent among these are the fol-
lowing: They possess splendid consti-
buttons, are easily acclimated, are ex-
cellent feeders and thrive well upon our
nutritious grasses. They thrive well
in large herds and are very prolific. BY
crossing them with thoroughbred Me-
rino bucks imported from Vermont, the
increase is rapid. AT the present time
but few sheep dealers in this section
have any Of the Mexican stock on hand
but have the improved sheep by cross
ing as above described. These shear
from five to six pounds average, which
realizes some twenty cents per pound,
in the market, while the Mexican is
worth only from eleven to twelve cents
Guided by the experience of the past
four or five years, our wool growers
have learned much. The majority of
them have erected comfortable sheds
for the better protection Of their sheep
during the winter months. Those who
have not, expect to take that important
step before snow flies.
We feel safe in predicting a still
brighter future for Wyoming in respect
to the wool growing interest. which
has already assumed mammoth proper
I