The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-09
THE GROWERS OF WOOL.
The Economy of Sheep-Raising the
Point of Discussion.

The ninth annual convention of the Indi-
ana Wool Growers Association met in
Room IL at the Statehouse yesterday after
noon. with the largest attendance in the
history of the association, the interest
in the proceedings being such that many
wool growers not members of the associa-
ton were present, and through the cour-
tesy of the association took an active part
in the dicussion. The officers of the asso-
citation are j. F. TomHnson, of Falkland,
president; Cal Darnell, OF indianapolis, vice
president; j. w. Robe. of Greencastle, sec
rotary, and j. L. Thompson, of Marion
treasurer.
The first paper of the afternoon was by H.
B. Rowland, of Rowland, on What Has
Cross-breeding Done for the Sheep Bust
ness in Indiana Mr.. Rowland approved
of systematic cross breeding, stating that
he had found the best wool came from a
cross between the Cotswold and the merino
He also stated he had found that cross-bred
sheep took better care of themselves than
the pure breed. This paper brought out
lengthy discussion on the merits of cross
bred and pure bred sheep, in which the
fact developed that those sheep raisers who
had devoted their attention to the raising
of mutton rather than wool had made more
money than the wool growers.
The Best Mode for the Common Farmer
to Handle Sheep was presented in a paper
by J. II Harshbarger. of Ladoga He urged
that every farmer cultivating forty acres
or more should keep a flock of from ten
to forty sheep. He had found that sheep
We're always profitable, and they were the
best cleaners known. He could, he as
serted, take the gleanings and the manure
burn the wool and still make money Good
grade ewes bred to pure bred ram were
money makers. Marion Williams. of Mum
Gle. read a paper Little Things in Flock
Management" the substance of which was
take care of the little lambs and the big
also discussed sheep raising under the fol-
lowing heads: Stock, husbandry, selection,
breeding, wintering and shearing. In his
paper, What Advantage Did You Find in
Handling Pure Over Cross bred Sheep
Sid Conger, of Flatrock, insisted on the SUI
periority of the pure bred sheep as a wool
raiser and money maker under favorable
conditions.
rs the Formation of Grade Flocks Prac-
teal at This Time?" was discussed in the
affirmative by I. c. Phelps, of New Castle
He thought that the time was soon coming
yive. and that no farmer could be success
full without flock of sheep. There were
eleven papers on the programme. but owing
to the lateness of the hour the last four
were laid over until this mornings session.
and the last paper read was by w. A.
Guthrie. of Dupont, on the subject, IN
What Way Do You Care for and Feed
Your Flock?" A cross-bred with little
merino blood was no objection to him. He
culed out all defective lambs and kept them
separate from those he offered for sale
Before breeding he put his sheep on the
poorest pasture he could find for short
time. and then transferred them to the hest
result being that they fattened quickly and
by September were in good condition and
more likely to breed twins. He allowed the
rams TO remain with the sheep five weeks
AS regards feeding he relied mostly on good
pasturase and plenty of pure water.
The Chair then appointed committee
on programme and a committee on expert
Judges 70 report at this mornings session.
as follows:
Committee on Programmed. c. Phelps
New Castle: j.. Il. Hardness, Knightstown
and w. A. Guthrie Dupont
Committee on Expert Judges-John I.
Thompson, Gas City; s W. Dugan Frank
lin. and Marion Williams. Munce
The association win hold its final session
in Room II this morning, at 8 O'clock when
yesterdays programme viii be completed
year be held.