The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-29
SHEEP, HORSES AND SWINE.
The State Associations of Live Stock
Breeders in Annual Session.
The Agricultural Board Criticised for Failure
to Adopt Suggestions Recommendation
Made to CongresS-Value of Wool.
THE WOOL-GROwERS.

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The State Association Begins the Work of Its
Regular Annual Session.
The semi-annual meeting OF the State Wool
growers Association began in the rooms of the
State Board of Agriculture, following the ad-
journment Of the Swine-breeders, in the after
noon at E3O o'clock. with about thirty of the
leading Indiana representatives of the industry
in attendance. Immediately after calling the
meeting to order the president of the associa-
ton, Mr.. Thomas Nelson, Of Bloomingdale, de-
livered his annual address. in which he congrat-
ulated the members of the organization on their
courage In coming together. notwithstanding the
discouragements to which the industry had been
subjected during the last two years. While the
prices for farm products generally, during this
period, have been low he believed, however, that
it could be shown that the prices realized from
the production of wool and mutton have
not deprecated relatively more than on other
products of the farm, beef excepted A COM
parison, he said, would show, taking as basis
the prices obtained ten years ago. that hogs have
declined 80 per cent; sheep 20; wool. 33; wheat.
40; corn, 49, butter and cheese, about 40 each.
These figures show that sheep have at least held
their own in values as compared with other live
stock Yet there is depression in wool grow
ing that is sorely felt The unusually long and
On focks generally throughout the State It was
later in the season than usual before good NUT
ton sheep that had to be fattened on grass were
ready for market. There is disposition to at
tribute the depreciation in the price of wool as
resulting entirely from the revision of the tariff
by Congress Ia 1883. which repealed the ad
yalorem duty on WOOL While he strongly
favored tariff for protection to all industries as
well as for revenue the history Of the last
three years has seemingly shown that the de-
probation in the value of wool cannot be due
entirely to the taking off of the ad valoreIn duty,
leaving the tariff of 10 cents per pound remain
ing on certain specified grades of wool. The re-
ports OF importation for the year ending June
last Of foreign WOOL as compared with the previous
year, show decrease OF several million pounds.
1t seems likely that the existing duty OF 10
cents per pound on unwashed wool will keep out
of the country nearly all of the wool that would
be kept out were the tariff of 1867 restored. MIR.
Nelson said that he would deprecate the agitation
at this time of restoration, desirable it might
force under the act Of 1867 He regarded tia hope
less undertaking to appeal for additional protec-
ton to legislative body that has twice elected
an avowed free trader its presiding officer who
virtually controls legislation in the appointment
of its committees. but he favored instructing the
Indiana congressional Representatives to labor
zeaiously to prevent any further reduction of
duties on imported wool, and if any change is
made to more evenly adjust the duties between
the manufactured woolens and the raw material
The question of what relation sheep husbandry
should sustain to mixed farming was discussed
by c. A. Rowland, and in the general express
ion of opinion which followed mixed farming
was advocated.
G. F. Darnell introduced a resolution request
ing the State Board of Agriculture to refuse to
permit sheep that are not in their natura, state
to be entered at the State fair, and in support of
the motion stated that it was the habit Of some
exhibitors to clip trim and shape" their sheep
for the show ring, concealing their imperfections
ton met with general opposition, for the reason
that it was believed that it was quite as proper
that the appearance of sheep should be
improved as much as possible by wash
ing and shearing, as that, the horse
on exhibition. Expert judges could not be de-
ceived by it One opponent of the resolution
expressed the opinion that the shearing and
washing Of sheep for the show ring could no
more be prevented than the use of powder and
bustles by women.
Mr. Rowland incidentally mentioned, during
the discussion in the afternoon. that there had
been some objection by State officer to the
publication in the agricultural reports of the
full proceedings of the industrial associations
The remark had the effect to arouse considerable
feeling, and the talk finally resulted in the adop
ton of the following resolution:
Whereas, 1t has been stated in public that State
officer has expressed objections to publishing the
essays as furnished by the State Industrial Assoca
ton; therefore,
Resolved That committee of three be appointed
to inquire into the facts of such statements and re-
port without delay; also the name of such officer for
future reference.
The session will conclude this morning, when
the association will be addressed by the Governor
and the officers elected for the next year.