The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-10-31
Sheep Snferesf.
Demand for Good Sheep on the Increase.

Such is The information furnished the
Wool Grocer from West Texas. The
point to which we call especial atten-
ton is that this demand is for good
sheep. A few years ago the case was
a totally different one. Any animal
recognized as belonging to the sheep
family was the demand. The long
haired Mexican eve, scarcely one de-
gree removed from a common goat,
sold for as much or even more money
than could have been realized for the
best Merino sheep within the past six
months. a veritable craze reigned SUI
preme in the State. Investors were
numerous and bought with but little
regard to grade of sheep or quality of
their wool. The rage to become sheep
owners gave fictitious valuation to
this kind of property. When, howev-
err, the reaction came, these same i'll
vestors did not blame themselves, but
proceeded at once to deuounce sheep
husbandry i'll Texas to be deluSion
and snare. They took no time to
examine into the natural causes oper-
ating to their disadvantage. Nor did
they pause to consider the influences
producing the reversal of their plans
and expectations. In spite OF their an
ticipations, inferior wool would not sell
for the price which the better grades
brought in the market.
Common, light muttons when sent
to market made money only for the
railroads and commission statesmen.
Unjust State and national legislation
may have had their effect in depre ssing
the business, but are not to be charged
with it all In and out of season the
Wool GrOUer urged its readers to a
definite policy in conducting their
business. We insisted upon a system
of intelligent, judicious breeding as the
only correct and sure plan to insure
success. We deprecated the use of any
but the very best rams to be secured in
the country. AS a rule, those who fol.
lowed our advice have in the main been
more fortunate tnan those who pursued
the opposite course. All along we
commended that the demand would be
for larger and better sheep. In this
we have not been mistaken, as the Sc
quel now proves. Inferior sheep can
not be disposed of at all. OF necessity
their owners must give them away or
hold on to them. Whenever pur-
chaser is met with he invariably asks
for good sheep. That is, animals
shearing heavy fleeces of good quality
and capable of producing muttons of
large size. While we sympathize with
those who not own good sheep as the
demand now goes, we say it is not too
late to mend their fortunes in this re-
spect. A reaction in the price of sheep
and wool will also operate in their
favor. Rams are offered cheaper now
than ever known before. Buy the fin
est bred animals you can find and use
upon your common ewes. lave an
eye to length of staple and size of car
cass. Fatten your muttons and dis
pose of them at the best possible terms.
Rid your flocks of all old ewes and de-
termine to improve by the experience
of the past. i'm this way mistakes can
be rectified, your focks bred to high.
er standard and money made out of
them. We advise our readers to hold
on to their good sheep. Do not sacri-
flee them just to get out of the bust
ness.
The coming year has much of prom
Use in it. Wool is going to command a
more remunerative price. Large, fat
muttons will not be hard to sell. AS
food, muttons are coming into more
general use each succeeding year. This
demand must be supplied and no State
in the Union enjoys better showing
in this respect than Texas. The rail
roads will be forced to give better ia
cilities in the way of transportation to
market. Summing up the whole mat
ler the Wool GTOTer repeats that bed.
rock las been reached, and the signs OF
the times point to greater hopetulness
for the future of sheep husbandry.--
Ieras Lire Stock JOu1Ndi.