Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-08-01
FARM AND GARDEN.
TO sHEEP.RAlSERS.
They Should Get Their Eyes Open-some
Interesting Facts.

They Should Get Their Eyes Open-Somc
Interesting Facts.
1t is quite evident, says the Breeders
Gazette, that flock owners are yet far
from understanding all that is valuable
and interesting In the line OF mutton
production. This fact has recently
found especial emphasis in experiments
ut the South ST. Paul stock yards,
which, though one Of the newest, should
not be classsed among the least efficient
organizations. About three years ago
the st. Paul Chamber of Commerce sent
committee to Montana to investigate
and determine what might be done
toward establishing market nearer to
the great Northwest ranges than was
then found at Chicago or Kansas City,
The outcome of this effort was the OPEN
ing of union stock yards at South st.
Paul in January, 1883.
Report of the two years business has
recently been made by A. 3. Stickney,
president of the Chicago, st. Paul &
Kansas City railroad, showing an in
crease in the second year over the first
cent; sheep, 9S per cent; horses, 251
per cent. and falling off in hogs of
about "a per cent Among other schemes
inaugurated was barn for sheltering
and fattening cattle and sheep, which,
though for some time left vacant, was
later on occupied, and in connection
with an adjoining distillery utilized
with great success and most satisfactory
results" Seven thousand fat cattle
were turned out In 1889. Mr.. Stickney
| adds:
"The next experiment was in feeding
sheep, and the result has been most
gratifying as we'll as astonishing. The
winter before last the first experiment
was made with few sheep. The result
was so encouraging that the same par
ties last winter fed at the yards some
thing over 1000 sheep, and this winter
additional buildings will have to be
erected to supply the demand. Fully
10000 are already contracted for, and 1t
seems probable that 10000 sheep will
be fed this winter at the South St Paul
Stock Yards; the great point being that
they maintain perfect healthfulness.
Probably the most astonishing state.
ment which l shall be able to make to
you in this communication is the fact
that sheep are being bought as legiti-
mate private business venture at Chi
cago Stock Yards, shipped to st. Paul
and fattened and then returned to Chi.
| L. ir L. Al 49,
days over 5000 of this class of sheer
have been received here, and / am in.
formed that parties are negotiating fol
80 600 sheep in Texas to be brought te
Minnesota to be fattened during the
winter and made ready for the spring
market"
Now, when it is remembered that mos
Of the corn used in feeding these sheer
was shipped from Iowa and other corn
growing sections more or less remote
that sheep had paid transportation from
the ranges to Chicago, thence to st
Paul, and back again to Chicago, ant
were then sold at profit, it seems t,
the Gazette that the point has beer
reached at which f1ock-owners can Sc,
that something is at fault in system
permitting so much of the ultimat'
price of mutton to go to men other thai
those who raise the sheep. The un
wisdom of combining attention to wool
growing when the demand for mutton i
more encouraging has dawned upon
fair percentage Of those who hav,
shared in recent discouragements o
fock-owners, and happily the number o
these is yearly growing less; but it i
equally evident that the shrewd man
agement of the st. Paul Stock Yard
has an eye on a goodly number who cal
yet be depended on to repeat the foil
of turning over to middlemen the prof
between lean and fat mutton carcasse
that is so greatly needed on the farm t
restore sheep husbandry to its deserves
position of profit and consequent popu
larity.