Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-07-23
ghssp Husbanary.

II has often been asserted by those IN
the best position for obtaining mtorma-
ton that pound Of mutton can be
produced as cheaply rs a pound OF beef.
Ii this is true the sheep raiser starts on
very nearly an equality with the cattle
raiser. so far as meat production is con-
cerued. The difference lies IN the
prices obtained for their product. Any
advantage the beef raiser mas IN this re-
spect is certainly counterbalanced by
what tho sheep seller gets for his
fleeces. even at the ruling low price OF
woods. This must be admitted rs true
of all the So called mutton sheep.
AS to those flocfs kept primarily
for wool growing, the case differs
somewhat. With these the carcass
is of less relative importance as it sup
plies small amount of mutton, ana
this of comparatively little value. Own
ers have allowed themselves to overlook
the importance Of meat production, and
have so long refused to hearlien to the
counsel OF Reason, that dame rs
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 Iations, 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-
ieved to indicate the avenue OF relief
for the owners of many admirable hocks
from present embarrassments, and as
providing safeguard against the recur-
renee OF such endorsements in
the future. II good mutton can
be made from iine.wool sheep,
and the owners OF fine-wool
flocks 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 u good sell
ing carcass is not inconsistent with q
fleece combining the more desirable es-
sentials Of fine wool, may be made APP
parent to any man who will look through
the moro 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 flocks
in Washington Co., Pa, whose owners
have learned TO look for money under
tue fleece as well rs in IL.
There seems no good reason for
doub ting that just such knowledge as
this must como TO all tue man
ayers of line-wool focks before
the maximum of profit is secured from
them. Possibly fewer sheep certain
~ better ones--and these handled "for
all they are worth, is the key to the
problem Just now engrossing the atten-
ton of many fiock,owners.
Wool prices, now low, viii probably
remain so for some time to come, GER
tainly so long rs other products of the
farm and factory are cheap and slow Of
sale. From the present outlook how.
ever, farmers are likely to get quite a;
well paid for wool-growing as for ccrr
and wheat-growing, il selliag on tht
ruling market. IL all determine t.
hold for better prices, IN the econom,
Of storage and the facility in securing
necessary money advances the adyan
tage is certainly with the wool-grower
who, in the final roundup from hart
times, will probably not be so much
worse off than his neighbors as many oI
his self-appointcd advisers have taught
him to believe, The Breeders Gazette.