Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-08-05
j. n. MILLER & SONS.
THE GREAT SHEEP REGION.
Where Sheep Are Taking the Place of tn
Wheat Crop.

Where Sheep Are Taking the Place of the
Wheat Crop.
One of the pronounced recent depar-
lures ii the agricultural industry of the
northwest is a change from exclusive
grain growing to mixed industry, in
which live stock and dairying are prom
ilent features. In Minnesota special at
tention thus far has been given to horses,
cattle and hogs, but in Montana and the
Dakotas sheep are arousing the most
notable interest. In Montana the sheep
noc,ls have multiplied tcnfold in 10
years and in 1891 numbered over 2 $780,
000 animals. The sheep industry of Mon
tana represents a capital of 100000
and brings in Il revenue of nearly $2,-
500 goo from wool alone. Montana wool
has in a brief period attained national
reputation. North Dakota is recent
convert to the sheep industry, but al
ready has more sheep than ill other do
nestle animals combined, and the indus
try is rapidly growing in popular favor
as in proftableness. The Minneapolis
Tribune is informed by North Dakota
farmers that sheep bid fair to be the SOLD
ton of the crop problem, in paving the
way to diversifcation of products. Ex-
perienccd authorities insist that there is
more money in North Dakota sheep than
in grain and that sheep raising is likely
to be the great industry of that state be-
fore many years. With only q few sea-
sons start the sheep industry of North
Dakota has grown to embrace q capital
of over s. 900, 600 and flock of GOO, 900.
The average cost of keeping is estimated
at 81 per head for the state. aud the aver
age fleece about eight pounds. Consc-
qucntly the wool alone more than pays
the cost of maintaining the flock, Ieav-
ing the natural yearly increase in flock
a net profit. Abundant cheap lands, the
low cost of hay, grain and pasturage and
the healthfulness Of the climate make
the Dakotas IL natural sheep region. The
new industry is a solution of the single
crop problem.
In Minnesota the sheep industry has
not yet attained the prominence given to
several other branches of stock raising.
Indeed the state has more dogs than
sheep Yet the government report for
1891 credits the state with 400, 600 Sheep
and an average wool clip of seven pounds
per sheep. The principal aim Of sheep
raising in Minnesota is mutton. The
government Special Report on the
Sheep Industry" 1892, states in the
chapter on Minnesota, Sheep pay the
farmer better than any other class of
stock, and in the prairie country those
who arc now engaged in raising few
sheep find it the most profitable branch
of mixed industry" The average annual
increase i'll flock is placed at 95 per cent,
and the average cost of keeping at 81 or
less per head. The government depart
ment cnumeratcs numerous advantages,
exceptionally favorable climate, the best
of feed and water, freedom from disease
and first class local market, which
Minnesota possesses over all eastern
states Sheep brought to Minnesota from
Ohio and other eastern sheep regions
show Il marked gain III weight of fleece
and carcass. The government depart
ment entertains enthusiastic sentiments
regarding the future of Minnesota's sheep
ndustry.-ChicagO Herald.