The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-05-22
SHEEP AND WOOL.
What the Cincinnati Enquirer Says of the
Staple Trade of Texas

Netemple, special correspondent of the Gin
cinnati Enquirer, thus writes of the sheep and
wool trade
"Sheep Yes, millions of them. The Fort
Worth Wool Grower estimates that there are
now 100000 head in the State. This is prob
ably an enthusiastic estimate, but no good au-
thority places the number at less than S,OOO,OOO.
These vast ilOcks have been graded up TO a
medium standard by crossing Spanish merno
bucks with coarse Mexican ewes This kind of
sheep is best suited to the climate, and il also
shares good clip of wool of very fair grade
This section is designated by the citizens as
southwestern Texas, and, is really the home
of The wOol-growing interests. This city is
also the largest wool market in the State
although the tide of sheep-raising Is rather
drifting northward; not enough yet, however,
TO disturb its Importance rs wool centre. 1t
Is estimated that
SAN ANTONIO WILL HANDLE
this year between 100000 and 100000 pounds
or about One-third the entire product of the
state. This 100000 pounds will represent the
clip from about 2,2jO0OO head of sheep, as they
will shear of an average of about four pounds
to the head.
Texas is expected to market this year from
2OUO,UO to 3,OlOOOO pounds OF wool,
and the dealers are just in the highest of their
busy season. This industry has undergone
changes within the past two years as well as
the cattle trade. There has ever been preil-
dice among the ranchmen against raising
sheep, aud therefore hocks and herds have
never until recently, roamed together. A
short time ago ranchmen found IL to their
advantage 20 Craze sheep with their cat
tie. The result Is that great 1Ocks have been
bought by them to mix with their herds. This
Is certain TO grow every year. IL is not likely,
however, to seriously injure South western
Texas as great shepherds fold The climate
and many other things combined TO make its
lands desirable pasture for sheep. Last winter
taught the shepherds some new lessons Never
have they provided particle of
FOOD FOR THEIR FLoCKs.
The severe weather killed 80 many that there
will be no increase this year little corn or
hav would have saved many thousands, and
how many dollars IL is hard to say.
The hazards OF sheep raising are much
greater than those of cattle, but, taking into
account the amount OF money invested, the
profit i'm sheep, notwithstanding the percent
age OF loss against them, is fully as great as
that of cattle. Both are so remunerative
especially to the industrious and careful herds
man, that people are pouring into the State
from all directions seeking investments In
ranches From one end of Texas TO the other
you hear nothing but cattle and sheep; agri-
culture is almost entirely neglected. Pastoral
pursuits VIII always be the main feature of
hanging on or sort of staying TO
MAKE FORTUNE,
and then to return to the older States This
gives rather temporary air to everything
hut 1t viii doubtless wear away in time, for
| Texas Will always furnish a great percentage
/ OF the peer ana mutton consumed in the Uni
ted States Its remarkable system of railroads
IS doing great things for its people as well as
| Tor the pockets Of their owners They are
bringing in restless, rowing crowd TO see and
many to invest. The Texas steer draws like
plaster
Of45,ooo German children in schools of all
grades lately examined by Professor Phueer,
more than half were found suffering from
short sight, while in some the proportion of
the short-sighted was 1880 per cent; and in
one-the Gymnasium at Heidelberg there
was actually not one scholar with good sigbt.
Among the causes Of the evil on which Pro-
lessor Phuger lays most stress are badly
lighted school-rooms, ii. contrived desks and
and forms, and, above all, excess Of study and
too little exercise.
The taste for frogs legs is now spreading
rapidly in this country, after long period Of
comparative stagnation. One Of the largest
dealers IN the country, Mr.. J. M. Beck of
Boston, has set a hundred expert frog.catcb.
ers at work in the New England States, and
estimates that the demand this summer will
be double that Of last year. An experiment
in breeding bullfrogs in England is about to
be made and considerable supply OF spawn
Will be sent over for that purpose.