Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-12-21
SHEEP RAISING.
Many Millions Invested In the
Northwest.
Conditions Which Arc Favorable to the
Growth and Success OF This I'm
pOrtsnt Branch Of Farming
I'm America

= One Of the pronounced recent de-
partures in the agricultural industry
of the northwest is change from ex-
elusive grain growing to a 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 f1ocks
have multiplied tenfold in ten years,
and in 1891 numbered over 2,sOO,O0O
animals. The sheep industry of Mon
tana represents capital Of $4,000
900, and brings in a revenue of nearly
g., 500, 900 from wool alone. Montana
wool has in brief period attained q
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 diversi-
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 stats
before many years. With only few
seasons start the sheep industry Of
North Dakota has grown to embrace
capital Of over S5,OOO,OOO and flock
of 60O,0 The average cost of keep
ing is estimated at 81 per head for the
state, and the average fleece about
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 a natural sheep
region. The new industry is q 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 a few
sheep find it the most profitable
branch of, mixed industry" The aver
age annual increase in flock is placed
1T 95 per cent, and the average cost of
keeping at 81 or less per head. The
government department enumerates
numerous advantages-excepti
favorable climate, the best Of feed and
water, freedom from disease, and .
6rst-class local market-which Mime
sofa possesses over all eastern states.
Sheep brought to Minnesota from Ohio
and other eastern sheep regions show
q marked gain in weight Of fleece and
carcass. The government department
entertains enthusiastic sentiments re-
garding the future Of Minnesota's sheep
industry.