The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-07-03
Sheep

1t has often been asserted by those in
the best position for obtaining informa-
ton that o pound of mutton can be
produced as cheaply as q pound of beef.
If this is true the sheep raiser starts on
very nearly NJ equality with the cattle
raiser, so far as meat production is con-
cerned. The difference lies in the
prices obtained for their product. Any
advantage the beef-raiser has in this re-
spect il certainly counterbalanced by
what the sheep seller gets for his
feeces, even ut the ruling low price of
woods. This must be admitted as true
of all the so-called mutton sheep.
As to those focks kept primarily
for wool-growing, the case differs
somewhat. With these the carcass
is of less relative Importance as it sup
plies a small amount of mutton, and
this of comparatively little value. Own
ers have allowed themselves to overlook
the Importance of meat production, and
have so long refused to hearken to the
counsel Of Reason, that dame is
now vigorously rapping them over the
knuckles for their negligence. They
have persisted in putting their eggs in
to the one basket of wool-growing until
the existing low prices for that product
finds them on short ~rations, though
with necessities by no means diminished.
These facts are enumerated, not for
the porpose of casting imputations on
any locality or class of breeders. They
are recited only because they are be-
lieved to indicate the avenue of relief
for the owners of many admirable focks
from present embarrassments, and as
providing safeguard against the recur-
renee of such embarrassments in
the future. If good mutton can
be made from fne-wool sheep,
and the owners of ine-wool
focks 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 account. That a good sell
ing carcass is not inconsistent with q
fleece combining the more desirable es-
s~entials of fine wool, may be made APP
parent to any man who will look through
the more prominent Eastern and Mid
die State markets. Pittsburg is one Of
the best mutton markets in the country.
No better mutton gets into that mar
ket than some which comes from hocks
in Washington Co., Pa, whose owners
have learned to look for money under
the fleece as we'll as in it.
There seems no good reason for
doub ting that just such knowledge as
this must come to all the man
ayers Of ine-wool focks before
the maximum OF profit is secured from
them. Possibly fewer sheep-certain-
ly better ones-and these handled "for
all they are worth" is the key to the
problem just o ~engrossing the Satten-
ton of many flock. owners
Wool prices, now low, will probably
remain S o for some time to come, GER
tainly SO long as other products If the
farm and factory are cheap and slow of
sale. From the present outlook how
ever, farmers are likely to get quite as
well paid for wool-growing as for corr
and wheat-growing, if selling on the
ruling market. If all determine to
hold for better prices, in the onon
of storage and the facility in securing
necessary money advances the advan-
tage is certainly with the wool-grower,
who, in the final roundup from hard
times, will probably not be so much
worse off than his neighbors as many OF
his self-appointed advisers have taught
him to believe.-lhe Breeders Gazette.