Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-12-26

sideration that induced the promoters
OF the Grand Forks Wooden mills to
establish their plant here, and the
same condition will always prove
drawing card to manufacturers and
others establishing enterprises in re-
spouse to the increasing needs of q
rapidly developing state.
Grand Forks is in the very heart Of
what has been we'll described as the
"Nile Valley of America" the banner
wheat belt of the world; and that this
entire section and state is but in the
infancy of it's development is patent
to all who have given it thought.
The cold settler" who recalls the
days Of 10 may we'll think that much
has been done; but it is the belief Of
the writer that the twenty-five years
to come will witness breadth of de-
velopment and increase Of wealth to
this state compared to which past ac-
complishment will seem insignificant.
In the comments made below l do
not wish to pose before the readers Of
this article as an expert on the breed
ing and care of sheep. No doubt hum
dreds of practical farmers who will
see this article are far more learned
upon this subject than the writer; but
our business naturally brings us into
contact with thousands Of the sheep
men all over the state. Side by side in
our wool bins lie sacks of wool from
every county in the state and, without
presumiDg to know more than many
others as to the way sheep ought to be
kept, can easily claim to know, per-
haps, as well as any other man in the
state, just how they are kept.
The condition Of the wool when it
arrives at the factory to be manu-
featured is of great Importance to
the manufacturer, and this depends al
most entirely upon the care the sheep
have had. A scrub sheep will yield a
very fair wool if it has had good care,
but without proper attention not even
good sheep will give satisfactory re-
suits.
The manner in which the majority
of farmers in this section handle their
sheep is a very good illustration Of the
way it ought not to be done.
Dakota wool is one Of the very low
est-priced woods OH the market, and
the reason which, more than any 9TH
er, accounts for this, is the negligent
manner in which the sheep are raised
and the wool prepared for market.
all winter and pasture them in plowed
ground and waste places overgrown
with wild weeds and burrs is not the
way to prepare profitable fleece for
SALE
1t is, moreover, to be noticed that
the man who sends his wool typical
example of the method Of flock-keep-
ing just mentioned, is the same man
MI tn q
probably the best that has been sent
to US this season, and he expects the
top price," etc.
I can see no reason whatever why
Dakota wool should not be as stand
ard as Dakota hard wheat. The eli
mate is we'll adapted to the growing of
fine sheep. We often receive ship
ments of wool at the factory, of we'll
conditioned WOOL showing that not all
cur farmers fail to realize the import
ance Of well oared-for fiocks, and we
live in hope Of the speedy approach Of
the time when this will be the rule
and not the exception. IF any reader
Of this does not appreciate the i'm
portance of we'll kept flock, he would
soon be convinced, by visit to our
factory, where he could be shown the
large percentage Of chaff and dirt
which has to be removed from the
wool by special machines before it Is
even possible to commence to manu-
factllre it.
One very noticeable defect in North
Dakota wool, aside from the question
Of foreign matter in the wool. is Its
brittleness or lack Of strength Of
fiber. shown by dry, harsh feeling, a
deadish-white appearance. the absence
Of that rich, yellow cast which denotes
the vigorous. healthy fleece.
None Of the wool received at this
mill from sheep clipped in the fall
shows this defect. and it must come
from wintering the sheep under i'm
proper conditions and without proper
nourisbmen.. I do not mean that the
sheep do not get enough to eat but
proper nourishment is not given. Just
as when, at times, when necessary, we
feed our hens special food to insure
our eggs a proper covering. so the
sheen requires food which will give 1t
vitality enough to preserve the life"
of the fleece. .....
There are. Of course, many flock
masters in the state thoroughly posted
on all the requirements Of the market
and the best methods Of sheep-culture
NY remarks are intended more ..spe-
cially for the much larger number Of
farmers who have sheen which are
kent. from force Of habit. without
realizing that for the capital invested
and with proper care there is no more
profitable investment on the farm.
1t is a trite saying that "the sleeps
foot is golden 'and there is much
which YOU can get from the sheep That
will he Of value to you besides tile
clothing that the wool will make
For rcclaiming worn-out land sheep
nrc Invaluable. and the manure from
the sheep is the most valuable Of the
farm mnnurcs. Good mutton is the
finest of table meat. The increase
from tho flock is also n very important
item to he considered In the profit ac-
count OF n flock.
IT IL m undeninblc fnct TINT small
Dock of good sheep, well cared for, In