The Osceola times., 1885-03-28
SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
The Methods That Are Likely to Lead &
Solid Success.

SuttfS>s
II has often been asserted by those in
the best position for obtaining informa-
ton that pound of mutton can be pro-
duced as cheaply as pound of beef If
this is true the sheep-raiser starts on
very nearly an equality with the cattle
raiser so far as meat production is con-
cernod. The difference lies in the prices
obtained for their product Any adj
vantage the beef-raiser has in this re-
spect is certainly counterbalanced by
what the sheep-seller gets for his fleece,
even at the ruling low price of wools
This must be admitted as true of all the
so-callcd mutton sheep.
As to those iocks kept primarily for
wool-growing, the case differs some
what. With these the carcass is of less
relative importance, as it supplies
small amount OF mutton, and this is of
comparatively little value. Owners
have allowed themselves to overlook
the Importance of meat production, and
have so long refused to hearken TO the
counsel of reason that that dame Is now
vigorously rapping them over the
knuckles for their negligence. They
have persisted in putting their eggs
into the one basket of wool-growing
until the existing low prices Tor that
product finds them on short rations.
though with necessities by no means
diminished.
These facts are enumerated, not for the
purpose of casting imputations on any
locality or class of breeders. They are
recited only because they are believed
to indicate the avenue of relief for the
owners of many valuable flocks from
present embarrassment, and as provid-
ing safeguard against the recurrence
of such embaTassments in the future
III good mutton can be made from fine
wool sheep, and the owners of fine wool
tlocks omit to avail themselves of the
advantage its production brings within
their reach, they have only themselves
to blame for the resulting shortness in
their bank accounts. That a good sell
ing carcass is not inconsistent with a
fleece combining the more desirable
essentials of fine wool, may be made
apparent TO any man who viii look
through the more prominent Eastern
and Middle States markets. Pittsburgh
is one OF the best mutton markets in the
country. No better mutton gets into
that market than some which comes
from flocks in Washington County. Pa,
whose owners have learned to look for
money under the fleece AS well as in IT,
There seems no good reason for doubt
ing that Just such knowledge as this
must come to all the managers of fine
wool flocks before the maximum of
profit is secured from them. Possibly,
fewer sheep-ccrtainly better ones
and these handled ."for all they are
worth, is the key to the problem Just
now engrossing the attention of MANY
flock owners.
Wool prices, now low, will probably
remain - for some time to come. GER
tainly so long as other products Of the
farm and factory are cheap and slow
OF sale. From the present outlook.
however, farmers are likely to get quite
as well paid for wool growing as for
corn and wheat growing if selling on
the ruling market If all determine to
hold Tor better prices. in the economy
of storage and the facility in securing
necessary money advances the ad-
vantage is certainly with the WOOL
grower. who, in the final roundup
from hard times. will probably not be
so much worse of than his neighbors,
as many of liz self-aPpointed advisers
have taught him to believe. -Breedcrs'