The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-02-12

There has been 3 gradual transform
alton going on il the 6efd OF sheep and
wool growing in the SoutSWest and
the old conditions haveso radically
changed that to make the industry
remunerative, departures have to be
made. The old plan of breeding Me
rinos for woo; and disregarding the
meat production of the animal, will
not bring the profits OF former days.
Then lands. for ranching were free,
and the prices Tor wool were higher.
Then the expenses for herding were
lighter, the costly disease "scaD" was
rarely found, the range better in quail
ity, and it was almost impossible for
even bad management to wreck the
changed, and the careless, shiftleSs
sheep man of FIVE years age finds
disaster aa,l ruin following his
footsteps, 50 ne is forced to one Of two
COURSE. He must either abandon the
business, or prepare TO run it in alto
gethtr different channel. He must
now economic his resources, look more
and more to the demands of the mar
ket, lessen the cost OF production by
making better sheep or at least sheep
that will yield him better returns. He
finds the size of his Merino grades
must be enlarged, that health and Ter
tility must be increased, that better
pasturage must be provided, that
greater study to meet The require
ments Of his flock must be bestowed,
and that with all these changes the
chances for large profits are meager.
Business principles must oe adhered
to now in the sheep industry.
1t is an old saying that "the darkest
hour is just before day" Ii this be
true, the blackness now embracing
sheep huSbandry indicates the advent
of daylight. The price Of WOOL is
low, so to, is the price of mutton, yet
with the decline in the former and
difficulties and expense in reaching
market attached to the latter, there is
still a margin for fair profit to the
prudent and well-trained, experienced
-sheepmaD, if he bat carries on the
business with skill and economy. He
must improve his flock in wool 80 as
to be able to command ready market
for his feeces. To do this ne must
know the character Of wool most val
liable for him to grow. He must
work continually to make both the
wool and mutton qualities paying
properties in his flock. An earnest,
persistent and never-halting effort in
advocacy of double-decked cars until
they are placed on the transportation
lines mus receive his best attention.
The study of the cheapest food and
least expense to proftably grow mis-
flock must be pursued. In word, he
must give his entire tine to the bust
ness in hand and SUCCESS will repay
him for the efforts made.
Fabulous fortunes in sheep grow
ing may be considered as things of
the past. Earnest efforts, guided by
sound and practical experience, will
secure to live and persistent follow
ers Of this valuable and useful occu-
patton fair and reasonable remunera-
tive returns at present, while the fu-
ture may hold brighter promise. Ii
you are in tie business, do not sacri-
fee what you have because your an
ticipations have gone far ahead of re-
atty. Husband your resources and
brighten your future by avoiding the
mistakes of the past. Improve the
means at hand. Make your sheep bet
ter and conform them to the de-
mands of the times.