The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-06-19
20 Il p r. l N L I q
OF DESCRIPTION executed with NEAT
NESS N CELEBRITY, AT LOW RATES.
The Value of Wool Growing.

The Editor of the Wilmington Star is
l~ong-headed, and patriotic. Recollecting
that several sessions of the Legislature have
failed to comply with the Constitutional
requirements demanding protection for
Sheep Husbandry, he talks out as follows:
Ed. F. & NJ.
1t will be we'll for the friends of sheep
husbandry to keep the subject actively be-
fore the people as the time for nominating
candidates approaches. The interest at
stake is too great to be neglected. The
value of sheep is too large to be disre-
garded. North Carolina is peculiarly and
admirably adapted to this great industry,
and we hope the intelligence of the State
will see to it that some steps are taken that
will lead the fostering of the industry. A
law of some kind must be enacted, or we
shall be guilty of a criminal neglect.
We have had enough of mere theorizing-
enough of general declarations concerning
the importance of sheep growing. We
legislation. The people, and people only,
can secure the desired laws. The ordinary
legislator is proverbially timid. He is so
afraid Of his reputation and popularity that
he requires to be led by the people. He
has no idea Of going ahead and assuming
any responsibilities Let the people, there
fore, speak out and say plainly whether they
are in favor of a dog law or not. The coun-
ty conventions should give forth no uncer-
tain sounds about the matter.
The sheep husbandry in the comparative
ly new State of Texas has grown to be i'm
mense. There was recently held at San
Antonio a convention of sheep growers,
numbering 1S1. These lS1 men represent
Oh GhS 0Ml Chnpn nr an Cra of , e00
three thousand six hundred, to each grazier.
Think of this ye farmers of North Carolina
and learn a lesson of thrift and wisdom.
In addition to the above it was stated that
there were 200 other sheep pastures in the
State, whose focks, estimated at a smaller
ratio, would number 100, 600 thus giving a
total of nearly 1,400. 900 sheep in the pos
session Of fewer than 400 persons. But for
those who make sheep-farming their exclu-
sive business a flock of 3, 900 is a small mat
ter. The rapidity with which a flock in
creases under such favorable conditions as
are found in the South is astonishing, and
men of the smallest means, who embark in
the industry and pursue their labor with
diligence and intelligence, become possess
ed Of bewildering wealth within the space
Of a few years.
Why can not our people avail themselves
Of themselves of the same source of wealth
1t will not do to say that North Carolina is
not we'll adapted to sheep-raising. There
are over eighty counties well adapted to the
purpose and some of these counties are equal
to any in Texas for the end in view.
In 1868 California produced but IL. 900
pounds of WOOL. in ten years it has grown
beyond belief. 1t is estimated that the
wool this year, 1878, will amount to sixty
millions of pounds. Now this is marvel
lous. But what will this large production
bring the wool growers ? 1t is said that it
will net $50, 900, 600. The number of sheep
In California is seven millions. In Texas,