The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-11-26
SIarlInE a FIork ofshsen.

\
bandry, consequent upon the advance ii
wool, says the Amtricdn Stockman, gives thiI
industry more prominence among farmer
than 1t has occupied for several year
past. We would however, advise caution
and discretion in this, as in all Other
branches OF economy. II is with this a,
with other calllngs; sharp upward turn
in the price Of a given product often in.
duCes a stampede in that direction, and
the result is that it is soon oyerdone, prices
fall by reason Of over.production, entail.
Ing losses and disappointments in greater
or le,s degree TO those who rushed into
the business without due consideration
and judgement.
While we are certain that the present
condition OF the wool market is moi due to
speculation, but is on substantial basis
and that prices will not only be maintain.
cd. but will very likely harden still more
before another wool clip comes In, there
Is little doubt that there will be large in.
crease in the crop next spring. 1t Is well
to recollect that the stocks OF wooden
goods in the country before the rise
IN the staple last spring were
very low. The prospects for fine crops
and a market abroad for oil OF our
surplus food products, together with re-.
turn Of confidence upon the heel OF re.
sumption, caused a revival in all branches
oil business, and the wooden industry was
among the first to feel It's influence. A
demand, strong and extensive, spranp mn
Tor woolens, which has been kent IN, and
Will no doubt continue. OF course. the
price OF wool was stimulated, and as long
as the present rate of consumption Of the
staple continues 1t is not likely that It will
decline. There is still room formany mil
lions oil pounds of home grown wool to
supply the requirements Of our people for
WOODEN goods and manufactures, and be-
sides, the foreign demand ior mutton
gives the subject OF sheep husbandry adj.
dltlonal Importance, as the american Sock.
man has hitherto frequently pointed out
That more sheep will be raised is now Ger.
tain, and we are gratihed that an impetus
has been given to the business. To nj
the best results, however, requires thought
and care from first TO last. Those who
have had much experience In the busi.
ness will understand this fact, but to such
as have not hitherto given it much atten.
ton tewsuGgestions will hardly BIO taken
aniss.
In the first place, it is important to start
rlsnt; Loss OF time, money, and labor
may pe avoided BY beginning with the
rlght KIND Of stock. BY this We do not no.
Ter to any particular breed; we mean that
the foundation should be good, young,
healthy, vigorous sheep. Every fall many
common sheep are disposed Of to the
butcher ior mutton, and among them are
found young ewes which are
suitable for breeding to good buck. In
selecting them, uniformity in size. age-
yearltngs are old enough-aud general
characteristics should be- kept in mind.
This will give uniformity in the flock
and the progeny, which will be Of great
in the outcome, as every ak.
perienCed breeder knows.
When sufficient number OF such ewes
have been obtained, they should be bred
TO q thoroughbred ram, and no other.
Whatever breed may be the choice of the
buyer-whether Cotswold, Southdown.
Merino, Leicester, Shropshiredowu, or any
other sort-leti it be pure bred sheep, BY
all means and the best way to get such
ram ~ to. so to an honest, well.known
breeder OF the kind wanted, who will not
risk his reputation by selling ram he
represents as pure-bred unless it is OF
undoubted purity. This course will se.
cure an animal that will stamp bis char.
acteristics on his progeny. His valuable
qualities will be transmitted to his get
and when he has been In uss two wears
the breeder should sell him and get an
other OF the same kind, or better, but OF
course OF the same breed. Rams should
be changed every two years. and after
breeding the ewes two years, let them 90
also. Thus very fine flock Of sheen may
be produced in q short time-one which
will be profitable to its owner as well as a
credit to his intelligence and skill.
This, it is hardly necessary to say, is
upon the supposltion that the sheep are
yell taken care Of, which includes proper
feeding aud good general management.
1t may be thought that the prices asked
for thoroughbred rams Is too high for the
majority of farmers to pay, and fancy
prices-or what may be called such-may
deter some from purchasing good ram.
II may be well TO ascertain the terms OF
number Of professional and well known
breeders, and to purchase where good
animal Of undoubted purity Of blood, Wig.
orous and sound in every way, can DO had
for the least money; but no considerations
Of isSc economy should ever be allowed 10
weigh feather between good and bad
ram. Good animals can not DO had Tor
scrub prices; 1t, has cost too much to pro.
duce them. They represent value, 30
far as the future Of the flock Is concerned,
IS far above scrub, or grade, that a
eongarilsoA is absurd