The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-17
SHEEP CULTURE.
A Western Grower Thinks Virginia Lands
Specially Suited for the Industry.

A Western Grower Thinks Virginia Lands
Specially Suited for the Industry.
Mr.. L. J. Keeling, of New Mexico is quite
extensively engaged in sheep culture in the
West and in this State, and has written let
ter on the subject of the desirability Of Viz
ginia lands for prosecution of the industry
This letter The TIMES has been requested TO
publish and it is as follows;
ALBUQUERQUE n. NJ, May 6, 1891.
Mr.. Charles G. Eddy. President Norfolk
and Western Railroad, Roanoke, Va:
Dear Sir.-Your favor of the oath reached
me SfsW ss,'>ser alfS IN reply viif-say; J he
sheen enterprise in which / am interested 10
located in Halifax county, the nearest railroad
point being "LenniG," on the LynchDurg and
Durham road. about forty miles south OF
Lynchburg We have about 800 acres OF
land there, and we believe we have the tOun-
dation for prosperous business IN the sheep
line. We took LOO head OF choice sheep
from the West about December lst last and
thus far have no reason 10 believe that they
will not prove profitable. We have had quite
a number or sheep TO die, hear, but was due
20 our lack Of preparation more than 10 any
local cause. On the cheap lands of Virginia
and the South IN general there IS no
reason why sheep should not be grown rs sue
cessfuly and more prohtably than on higher
all items Of expense are lower than in the
West. and while feed and forage is naturally
higher the increased profit OF beng nearer
market we believe, Overcomes this one item.
The average winter period IS short, and with
reasonable care sheep raising can be made
prosperous and of great benefit 70 the
whole Southern country. Their value alone
for fertihzing the worn-out lands OF the old
plantations IS incaiculablc, and jnnds appre-
ciate in value after several years pastullng of
sheep on them.
The Shenandoah Valley from Hagerstown
to Bristol is a higher-prccd country than
where our place IS located. we think, and
outside the more severe winters 1t may be
preferable 10 our locality. There are now
many sheep IN the section you name. we have
been told, but farmers cannot raise too many
sheep Common Virginia sheep can be
bought a few head at time for less money
than our band cost us. But the sheep we are
handling are Of Merino blood and desira-
bic TO breed up from. | am of the
opinion that farmers would hesitate to pay
"A or "A. % per head for sheep. though they
might do so for sheep bucked as we suggest
They certainly are profitable at the price; our
band cost Us - laid at our station.
Wherever sheep growing has been made n
success it has enriched the. country il more
ways than in the mere profit accruing to the
grower 1t is a good industry to foster. Here
IN the West on free grass sheep are
run at small expense, but losses are
largo and transportation to market so
expensive. that sheep can be grown fully as
successfully on land at So to $40 per acre as
on free grass. Then ranges are becoming
more and more restricted every year and as
this becomes more so farmers will find sheep
more profitable in smaller bands.
/ expect to visit Virginia III August, If busi-
ness will permit and If crops are prosperous
i'm the Valley this season it may be possible
TO a small
margin to ourselves. We now own some 5000
to 10. 900 head here in New Mexico, and If |
could make some contracts while there dur
ing the summer for delivery in the late fall
would not hesitate to do so.
If through your channels of information
you have any means of finding out the dis
position Of the people along your roads on
this question / would be very glad 10 know
what their feelings are. And If there seems
TO be anything in the matter of mutual inter
est, | would Try 10 see you personally during
the summer while / am in that section. 1T
ought not 10 be hard To dispose of 900 sheep,
in lots of so or 100 head. in a comparative re-
stricted section. And if the outcome was
good we could handle larger shipment an
other season.
Twill be very glad TO hear from you again
on the sheep question and TO know your gen.
eral views on my suggestions. | will remain
here until July list, and be in'the East after
that time. My permanent address Is 'll2
Michigan street, Chicago" which is the main
honse of our concern.
VIII add in the way of general remarks that
| from now forward beef will be higher priced
on account of the restricted ranges and peri
odical large losses in heavy cattle Farmers
will be unable to produce cattle at the prices
which range cattle have been selling at and
while steers cannot be matured in less than
three years, sheep are marketable in large
quantities from the age of four months until
too old for service And there is no other
animal in existence which will give its in
crease and pay for its keeping and interest on
the investment (by the wool as sheep will do
| if handled with ordinary intelligence,
Trusting my long letter has not fatigued
you, and that may be favored with another
communication from you, ! remain
| Yours truly,
l. J. HuLNo.