Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-06-05
Mr.. Huling on Sheep Raising

The following extracts from a lettel
written to Vice-President Eddy, of the
Norfolk and Western, by Mr.. E. J. Huling
of Albuquerque. New Mexico, under date
of May 5, 1901, will doubtless be of inter.
est to many of our readers.
Mr.. Huling is a member Of The firm oil
George Oberne & Co., dealers in wool aud
hides, Chicago, and who are largely en-
gagged in sheep raising in New Mexico aud
Virginia, this department of the business
being under the immediate supervision OF
Mr., Huling, who is, therefore, well quail
fled by experience to discuss the subject
to which his letter refers:
"YOur favor of the oath reached me a
few days agr, and in reply will say: The
sheep enterE rise in which am interested
is located i'll Halifax county, the nearest
point being "Lennig," on the Lynchburg
4 Durham Railroad, about 40 miles south
of Lynchburg. We have about 800 acres
of land there, and believe we have the
foundation for prosperous business in the
choice sheep from the West about the 1st
OF last December, and thus far have no
reason to believe that they will not prove
profit table. We have had quite number
of sheep to die, hear, but it was due to
our lack of preparation more than to any
local cause. On the cheap lands in Vir-
ginia, and the South ia general, there is
no reason why sheep should not lie grown
as successfully and more profitably than
on higher priced lands in the West. Liv-
ing, labor and all other items OF expense
are lower than in the West; and while
feed and forage are naturally higher, the
increased profit of being 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 to
the whole southern country Their value
alone for fertil;zing the WORKOUT lands Of
the old plantations is Incalculable, and
lands appreciate in value after several
years pasturing of sheep on them.
"The Shenandoah VALLEY from Hacers-
town to Bristol, is q higher priced cOuu-
try than where our place is located, we
think aud, outside the more severe win
tiers. it may be preferable to our locality.
There are now many sheep IN the section
you name. we have been told, but farmers
cannot raise too many sheep.
"WbeneveI, sheep growily ba, been ma lie
a suecess, it has enriched the country in
more ways than IN mere profit accruing
to the grower. 1t is good industry to
foster. Here in the West on free grass,
sheep are run at small expense, but losses
are large, and transportation to market
so expensive, that sheep can be grown
fully as successfully on land at s. to $40
per acre as on free grass. Then, raj ges
are becoming more and more restricted
every year, and as this becomes more 80,
farmers will find sheep more and more
profitable in smaller bands.
81 Will be very glad to hear from you
again on the sheep question, and to know
your general views on my Suggest N. l
will remain here until about July LIST, and
will be in the East after that time. My
permanent address is IL Michigan street,
Chicago which is the main houss of our
concern.
Will add, 10 the way OF general remarks,
that from now forward beef will be high
er priced. on account of the restricted
ranges, and periodical large losses in
heavy cattle farmers will DO unable to
produce cattle at this prices which range
cattle have been selling at; while sheep
are marketable in large quantities from
the age of four months until too old for
service. Aud there is no other animal In
existence which will give its increase,
and pay for its keeping and interest on
the investment (by the woody "a sheep
will do II handled with ordinary intclli-
oanoa ~