The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-06-06
SHEEP SHEARING FESTIVAL.
Reported for the True Northernsr.

The spot was all that could DC desired; the
crowd numbered about 500; basket picnic
was enjoyed; all the southern part OF the
State was represented; some good speeches
made; and the whole affair enjoyable, instruct
ing, enthusiastic, successful. Every thing
passed of quietly and without accident or dis
turbance. All seemed TO enjoy themselves,
and the scene presented lively appearance
and general disposition on the part OF every
one to visit with his neighbors.
Mr.. woodman exhibited specimen OF wool
taken from Metis eve, under Is months old,
that took LIST premium at the Paris exhibition.
The CARCASS Of this eve weighed 120 lbs., tho
fleece IA lbs, and the staple measures inches
In length. Bot the best specimen was that
taken from M ets buck, over IL months old,
the fleece OF which was estimated at "a lbs. on
IA months growth, the carcass 265. This is the
best specimen Of delain wool eve we have ever
seen. Some specimens selected from the
Government flock, OF Spanish Merlno sheep
that will not stand comparison with our
common Merino focks 1t is no better than
/
could be found in our focks 20 years ago, as
will be seen by the fact that the carcass OF the
buck weighed but 100 lbs., the fleece only Is
lbs at ii months growth; and the carcass OF
the eve 80, while the fleece weighs only 10 lbs.
So much for the sheep OF the Government
fiocks OF France.
At 2 a. M Mr.. Morton called the meeting to
order and introduced Hon. J. j. Woodman.
Mr.. woodman introduced Mr.. j. p Thompson
OF the Homestead, published in Detroit. Mr..
Thompson thought we would do well to i'm
prove the condition OF our homesteads, etc.
SAID the distinctive characteristic Of our State
is that there is never failure OF crops in
every part Of our State.
On the wool question he SAID that Michigan
has fallen from the position of the third State
in the union to the fourth, in the
production Of. wool. Texas having passed by
us. "The crop in our State may be doubled
with profit" No sheep, II well kept ever dies
in debt to the breeder" The flock master is
one of the most important on the scene of
action"
We raise sheep for wool, for mutton, and for
increase. Col. Humphry sent the first Merino
to our country, from Spain, in 1907, and that
lis the foundation of our fine Merino focks.
Intelligent breeders like Hammond, have made
our merinos models of beauty, both for carcass
and fleece, and these merinos constitute 9-1O
of the sheep IN Michigan to-day. We have
thoroughbred sheep here to-day source OF
profit and pride to our farmers. He thought
that the west rivalled the east to-day. Men
have bought the best sheep In Vermont, and
to-day Vermonters are Obliged to come west
and buy sheep to keep up their focks, so
Europeans have been obliged to come to
America to buy, that they may compete with
American wools The speaker said he is
"long -wool-sheep- man" but he wants it on
merinos back. He exhorted young men to
learn to judge intelligently on the quality Of
wool on the sleeps back.
At the close OF Mr.. Thompsons address Mr..
Woodman spoke OF the effort in Congress to
remove the duties on WOOL He believed our
watch cry must be - Protection He then in
troduced Mr.. McGraw the largest wool buyer
in the State.
Mr.. McGraw said the introduction of Spanish
Merino woods was first injurious because they
were short, light, and gummy. Michigan lost
60 per cent. on her merino woods last year, as
a re suit of humbugs practiced on our breeders
by sharpers who BACKED up some sheep, with
wool less than 90 inches long. He would not
breed wool less than 90 inches long. The
manufacture OF fine cloths Is new industry
IN our country. In 1866 compromise tariff
law was enacted by Congress and proved
great stimuous to the manufacture Of delains,
resulting in the reduction OF price to about
one half" We must protect our manufact-
urers."
The speaker would urge the necessity Of
breeding long merino wool. We must grade
high. In putting up our wool we must con-
slider the loss by dockage. Twenty-Five years
ago Mr.. McGraw could buy wool without look
ing, for more than one buck fleece for half
washed WOOL II was uniform, honest wool,
competition tempted men into the wool trade,
and farmers found so good market he has
yielded in many things-"has learned to cheat"
lie couldn't buy satisfactorily. This difficulty
hes greatly with the wool buyers. The growers
are willing to learn but they must be instructed
1t is to the growers profit to wash his wool
well, thoroughly. Dealers do not like to have
wool tied up in square package, tightly
pressed. 1t will sell better il it don't look 30
good.
Mr.. Morton: question-Why is it that eastern
dealers complain OF our way of doing up WOOL
"They mean that there is too much string, too
many tags, we use too many boxes, tie too
tightly. On these points Ohio lost last year."
II we can raise wool that Will shrink but little
we shall profit by it.. Let us raise the standard
of Michigan wool. II we cheat them once they
will avoid as and we will be the loesrs. We
can't afford to come sharp games, but we will
do well to put our wool in attractive shape.