The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1881-04-22
sHEEP IN LYON CoUNTY.

O11AA41A AN - \ O1N WYNN = L
Reports from all parts of the county
indicate that sheep have wintered re-
markably well, and are 10 excellent con-
dition this spring The percentage of
loss has been very light, considering the
severity of the winter, and the violent
storms which have visited this section
during the past few months. and growers
have never, apparently, felt more en-
ccuraged than they do over the outlook
at This time. The lambing season has
set in, and has been attended with re-
suits which will .sensibly augment the
magnitude of the wool interest in this
section, and the fieeces Of the large and
healthy fiocks which are becoming more
numerous every year in Lyon county.
will soon be converted into money 10
line the wallet of the enterprising and
careful husbandman.
The most hopeful indication. in this
connection, is the almost phenomenal
Improvement ia the grade of sheep in
thfs vicinity within the past few years.
The scrub stock, with which many par
ties of limited means veuturel upon the
experiment of sheep culture at the time
of It's incepiion in this part of the state,
has almost entirely disappeared, and
given place to grades and thoroughbreds
whose fine, heavy aeeces have greatly
enhanced the lucratIveness of the wool
interest.
/ The necessity of greater care in the
direction Of producing cleaner wool. and
taking all possible precautions against
such a liberal transportation of real es-
tate by means of theciips sent to eastern
markets, has been urged through these
columns by prominent wool-grower in
this city and cannot be too earnestly
needed. In conversations with leading
wool merchant Of Boston, the
other day, the writer learned that aside
from this objection, Kansas fieeces were
taking high rank in the market, and
making for our fOurishing young COM
mcnwealth reputation that cannot fail
20 innre very largely 70 her future devel-
Dpmens and material prosperity.
) Fhat the superior advantages of Kan
sas in general. and Lyon county in par
.ticuiaT, for the successful growth of
sheep, are becoming generally Tecogniz-
ed At home and abroad, IS evidesced in
the fact that within the past year num-
Der of parties from the east, with abun-
dant means to pursue this industry
upon an enlarged and advantageous plan
have purchased land in the neighbor-
hood of Emporia, which they have i'm
proved and stocked, thus contributing
to the wealth Of Lyon county, and stim-
ulatiDg an interest which is destined, ct
no late day, TO utilize onf wild lands, and
convert into literal gold the spontaneous
treasure of the praries, which has hither-
to gone to feed the devouring flames
that annually sweep over our broad
reaches of pasture.
There has never been q season since
the settlement of Lyon county, when the
lack of rain interfered seriously with its
grazing facilities, and while cereals in
Kansas may occasionally fail by reason
of the drouth, il has not escaped the at
tention of the outside world, that there
exists in this commonwealth, sure
source of wealth which mines cannot
yield. and TO go up and possess which
requires only that investment of capital
and energy which is demanded for sue
cess in any field of business endeavor.
The growth of the sheep and cattle in
terest in this county affords most en-
couraging omen of its future prosperity,
and the disposition of our farmers to
make their agricultural pursuits subserv-
lent thereto, indicates that they have
finally opened their eyes to the priceless
value of resources, the very plentitude
of which has hitherto caused them to be
underestimate.