Helena weekly herald., 1879-05-01
WOOL GROWERS.
Words Of Advice from q Member Of One
Of the Boss0n wool Houses.

! Words Of Advice from Member of One
/ Of the Boss0n wool Houses.
Mr.. Daniel Dewey, of the Boston Wool
house of Gray, Dewey, Gould & Co., success
sors to Harding, Gray & Dewey, is paying a
| visit to Montana. He is charmed with the
general appearance of our country, and pre-
diets that in a very few years Montana will
be the greatest wool producing Territory in
the Union. Mr. Dewey returned last evening
from Smith River valley, and left his morn
ing for Sun River; and from thence he goes to
Benton and down the river MIR Dewey is
very earnest in bis efforts to have our wool
growers change their breeding; and to that
| end he has written letter to the Husband
| man, which will appear in Thursdays issue
of that paper. IN that letter Mr.. Dewey
says:
'The wool most wanted in Eastern markets
and consequently commanling the highest
prices is the grada known as No. / or fine
medium, or three-eigh,bs blood 1t happens
fortunately that this is the grade most easily
Montana woolgrower. It is the result of a
cross Of any long variety upon the Mer-
inc, and would be easily produced here by
crossing CotswoM. L-icestershire or Shrop-
shire upon full or taree-quarter blood Merino
1t would be reasonably nearly attained by
crossing the common or Oregon sheep with
the Merino-at least the result would be a
great improvement on much of the present
wool product. The wool might not be as
long as is desirable, but would be fine enough.
1t is better to have the wool too fine than too
coarse. The result of the cross first sug-
gested would be large and vigorous sheep,
which would do we'll even in large bands,
and be well calculated to endure the winters
and get its living even ii it should occasion
ally have to dig in the snow for it. Which
would always own its lambs and raise them,
and affording medium grade, of wool, if
hereafter the demand should change to either
coarse or fine woo:, the change could be made
with one cross in breeding. Eastern farmers
cannot afford to raise these large sheep be-
cause it is too expensive to feed them, while
here the amount of fodder consumed is not a
consideration. These is now less of this
grade of fine medium wool produced than
any other, and this state of things is likely to
always continue The difference in valne
between wool of the common sheep and the
wool of the sheep 80 improved, would be
from three 10 five cents per pound; and if the
common sheep has coarse, hairy skirt, sew.
en- cents per pound. Such wool would also
always have quick sale, since it is the only
grade which 10 not always in full supply. 1t
is potable that such sheep would yield pro-
portion of the worsted wools, known in mar
kets East as combing and delaine, which
have of late years sold for very full prices;
but while the sheep are exposed to all wealth.
ers, it is not expected that the worsted selec-
ton Can be very large.
Montana wool has already attained in the
Boston market bett er reputation than that
of any other Territory and some of the States,
partly because of it's grade, but mainly be-
cause of its condition and freedom from burrs
and seeds. If now it can improve its grade
as suggested and establish we'll fixed and
known type 80 that Montana wool will be
recognized wherever exhibited, better, larger
and more regular prices can be obtained.
Already the high reputation of Montana woods
is attracting into the Territory parties who
desire to embark in the business of sheep
raising. We expect to see the product very
rapidly increased. We believe that growers
will find it largely for their advantage to
shear as hate in The season as they can, thus
saving greater growth and weight of wool,
and especially growth of brighter and
stronger staple which adds to the appearance
of the fleece as TO it's value. This is emphat-
ically true If sheep have the scab as the in
dications of that disease largely disappear in
mid anmmor