Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1879-05-01
CROss-BREEDING FOR MARKETABLE
WnnTg
WOODS.

CROSS-BREEDING FOR MARKETABLE
WOODS.
We have the following advice to WOO
growers from Gray, Dewey, Gould & %
i'll regard to the crosses necessary to pro
duce the article OF wool most in demand a
present:
The wool most wanted in Eastern mar
kets and consequently commanding tn.
highest prices is the grade known as No
] or fine medium, or three-eights blood. L
happens fortunately that this is the grade
profitable to the Montana wool-grower. II
is the result of a cross of any long-wool va
riety upon the Merino, and would be east
ly produced here by crossing Cotswold,
Leicestersliire or Shropshire upon full or
~three-quarter blood Merino. 1t would be
reasonably nearly attained by crossing the
common or Oregon sheep with the Merlno
at least the result would be a great i'm
provement of 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 thar
too coarse. The result of the cross first sug-
gested would be a large and vigorous sheep,
which would do well even in large bands,
and be well calculated to endure the Win
tiers and get its living even if it should occa-
sionally have to dig in the snow for it.
Which would always own its lambs and
raise them, and affording a medium grade,
if wool, if hereafter the demand should
ch0nnn fo nffbor cvncooc ~ fS,,n xrooI Az.
change could be made with one cross in
breeding. Eastern farmers cannot afford
to raise these large sheep because it is too
expensive to feed them, while here the
amount of fodder consumed is not a consid-
Grafton. There 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 value between
wool of the common sheep and the wool Of
the sheep so improved, would be from three
to five cents per pound; and fthe common
sheep has a coarse, hairy skirt, seven cents
per pound. Such wool would also always
have a quick sale, since it is the only which
is not always in tull supply. It is probable
that such sheep would yield a proportion of
the Worsted woods, known in markets East
as combiDg and delaine, which have of late
years sold for very full prices but while
the sheep arc exposed to all weatlIers, it is
not expected that the Worstcd selection can
be very large.
Montana wool has already attained in the
Boston'market a better reputation than that
Of any other territory and some OF the states,
partly because Of its grade, but mainly be-
cause OF its condition aud freedom from
burrs and seeds. If now it can improve its
grade as suggested and establish a well
fixed and known type so 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 ter
ritory 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 late in the sea-
son as they can, thus saving a greater
growth and weight of wool, and especially
a growth of brighter and stronger staple
which adds to. the appearance of the fleece
AS we'll as to its value. This is emphatical-
iy true ii sheep nave the scab as the, indica-
tions of that disease largely disappear in
mid summer.
AT the joint sale OF Short-horn cattle be-
longing to A.. w. Seymore, VIM. II. Jones,