, 1897-10-18
PROFITABLE BUSINESS.
LOCAL sHDHPMEN WILL ENGAGE
IN THE FATTENING OF
LAMBS.
A Greatly Reduced Rate Upon Corn Has
Been Secured and 1t Is Believed
That Large Profits Can be Made In
the Business-Co;orado and Nebras.
ka Should Have no Monopoly.

which is very prodtabl@the fattenins
Of lambs for the eastern markets. To
reap their highest rewards, the stock
growers diversity their industry
to Its greatest extent. There is no rea>
son why the feeding Of sheep and hmbs
should be turned over to the people or
other states. This business Is past the
realm Of experiment. 1t has been DEM
oustrated by others just how much
feed and Of what quality is essential to
the fattening OF lambs and the expendl.
lure can be made with reasonable Ger.
tainty OF a handsome return upon the
investment.
This has been called to mind at the
present time by the following article in
the Denver Republican Of Friday morn
ing, which is well worthy OF a careful
perusal:
-sWhile the farmers around Fort Col
Inns have no monopoly of the business
OF feeding lambs for the Chicago mar,
ket. 1t is one that they pursue with great
profit and which they first established
among the industries OF this state.
THE movement which caused a large
number Of farmers near Fort Collins to
go into This business began only a few
years ago. 1t was one OF the attempts
20 diversity agriculture. and a few ex-
periments SO clearly demonstrated Its
success that nearly all the farmers in
that neighborhood engage in 1t now.
1t seems that there is something pecu-
liar in the conditions which prevail In
Colorado that makes it more profitable
to feed lambs in the winter here than
farther east AT any rate Colorado farm,
ers are said to be more successful than
hose OF Kansas and Nebraska.
THE lambs are bought In New Mexi-
co and the Panhandle OF Texas about
this time OF the year. They are then
fed until ready for the Chicago market.
They are shipped to that city in such
good condition that they command the
highest price. 1t is estimated that last
year about 10000 were fed
ut is a source Of much satisfaction to
every one interested in the growth OF
Colorado that 1t has been shown that
his business can be probably pursued
here. 1t Is especially to the advantage
of the state that it should develop lines
Of business or industry which send their
products beyond the state lines. This
-ri p,ro ~,totNa ~onov into Oolorodo ana
Of course such industries at the same
line supply the demands of the local
market. -
"In this connection it may be men-
toned that in the vicinity Of Holly, in
the Arkansas valley, farmers are CIV
ing attention t. the same business. 1t
may be, however, that their special lines
will be feeding cattle rather than Ambs
for the eastern market The cattle
would be bought in Texas. Mexico and
New Mexico and fed on alfalfa and
whatever grain might be necessary to
produce with alfalfa the best results."
A year ago, through the efforts OF
Superintendent Chas. Culross. a rate
was obtained over the Union Pacific for
the transportation Of corn to this mar
ket and Albany county points which wac
fully 80 1-3 per cent less than had ever
been given before, the reduction being
for the express purpose OF testing the
pncticability Of feeding lambs in the
Laramie valley and opening up a new
industry which would be profitable to
the ranchmen and the railroad as well.
While the stockmen said that they be-
lieved it would be a profitable Industry,
they did not do anything at that time.
This year there is hope that a start may
be made. M. H. G. Balch has signined
his intetion of fattening a large number
Of lambs during the coming winter, US.
ing for the purpose Nebraska corn and
native grass. 1t il well-known the ma,
tive grass has as much nutrition as the
alfalfa OF Colorado and Nebraska and
that 1t makes superior meat for the ia
bic. This fact has been demonstrated
too often to admit Of controversy. MI.
Balch will probably use \ large number
Of lambs thus tattened for the home
market, but 1t Is understood to be his
intention to ship any residue that he
may have to the markets Of the east.
Another progressive iockmaster who
proposes to engage in this new business
is Mr.. James NcGibbon Of Red Buttes.
He has had , wide experience in the
handling af sheep and It II his purpose
/ give Nebraska corn . thorooeh tex
upon his lambs the coming winter.
II there II any reason under the sun
why this business cannot b built up
into = profitable and permanent industry
In this valley, The Republican b M
sbls to figure It ont. Not only csnld
orr be fed with pru6t to sheep aa1
hmbs but calves and besves could b
fattened here with prod. Dswvsr 10
rapidly becoming . Afst-clam 6a1kst
promising in the near fstnrs 70. rival
Kanas City and onaAs. naA tqr tie
western trade RuugAt "a - noss peoe-
liable to ship the corn snd fAttsn IL
besse than to nip the fssases ~ hl-
ten tAeo and b to ths sxpsaa Ct 4.
shipmsnt. This b . netssr wA1sN ths
shssp anu cattlemsa q Alhs1y suanty
caa stady with pro1t to thsassfvss ~
to ~ STATE In Which tAsy Ave. Coso>
rado and NsbeaaAn are mt saadtlsa b
al ths good thinGM to or svsFaAsaAo