The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-07-01
SHEEP RAISING.
Many Millions Invested In the
Northwest.
Conditions Which Are Favorable to the
Growth and Success Of This I'm
portant Branch of Farming
In America.

One of the pronounced recent de-
partures in the agricultural industry
of the northwest is change from ex-
elusive grain growing to mixed IN
dustry in which live stock and dairy
ing are prominent features. In
Minnesota special attention 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 focks
have multiplied tenfold in ten years,
and in 1891 numbered over 100000
animals, The sheep industry of Mon
| tana represents a capital of>S2o, 0O0,-
| 900. and brings in revenue of nearly
| 81 ,50O, 600 from wool alone. Montana
| wool has in brief period attained a
national reputation. North Dakota is
a recent convert to the sheep industry,
| but already has more sheep than all
other domestic animals combined and
the industry is rapidly growing in
popular favor as in profitableness.
The Minneapolis Tribune is informed
by North Dakota farmers that sheep
bid fair to be the solution of the crop
problem. in paving the way to DIVERSE
| fication of products. Experienced
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
before many years. With only a few
seasons start the sheep industry of
North Dakota has grown to embrace
a capital of over S5,OO0,O00 and flock
of 100000. The average cost OF keep
ing is estimated at 81 per head for the
eight pounds. Consequently the wool
alone more than pays the cost of
maintaining the flock, leaving 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
makes the Dakotas natural sheep
region. The new industry is solu
ton 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
100000 sheep, and an average wool
clip of seven pounds per sheep. The
principal aim of sheep raising in Min
nesota is mutton. The government
Especial Report on the Sheep Indus
try" 1892, states in the chapter On
Minnesota: ''Sheep now pay the farm
er better than any other class of stock,
and in the prairie country those who
are now engaged in raising few
sheep find it the most profitable
branch of mixed industry" The aver
age annual increase in flock is placed
at IS per cent, and the average cost of
keeping at 81 or less per head. The
government department enumerates
numerous advantages-exceptionally
favorable climate, the best of feed apd
water, freedom from disease, and a
first-ciass local marlzet-which Mime
sofa possesses over all eastern states.
Sheep brought to Minnesota from Ohio
and other eastern sheep regions show
marked gain in weight of fleece and
carcass. The government department
entertains enthusiastic sentiments re-
garding the future of Minnesota sheep
industry