Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-04-02

a tTUHfsb Oh 5oltfSiOu N6tesHnFV.
On the properly developed sheep A
pound of mutton can DO produced az
cheaply as can pound of beef on tina
average steer, and 1t will sell for as
many cents. II the cattle grower can
fatten his steer with some profit, be-
lieve the flock owner can dc as well
with the sheep, and have in his favor
the advantage Of one or more feeces.
while bringing his animal to maturity
But 1t cannot be done with scrub an
imals, no matter how fashionable their
breeding, how high sounding their
pedigrees. II can only be done with
sheep growing the most desirable
heeces on well developed and rapidly
maturing carcasses. And this is true
of the entire flock; they must all De
good. The history OF those lean and
valueless animals of ancient Egypt that
devoured their well fattened contem-
poraries, is not the only instance Of
disaster attending the mingling Of
worthless and superior stock. The
same thing has been repeated in Me-
rino hocks. so far as profits are COM
cerned, ever since sheep husbandry mas
been pursued with view to profit. If
Merino husbandry is to progress and
become as permanently profitable as
any other well conducted business, the
work of eliminating inferior animals
cannot too soon begin. Let them 20
into market just as soon as they can
De put into reasonably fair condition.
barr Of 10
but they are better for that than any
thing else. They are to progressivehus
bandry of the future what the stage
coach of our boyhood days would be
to the transportation demands of the
present time. They may have had a
place in the past, but to-day and here
after they are but clogs upon the
wheels of progress, and must be cast
aside. 1t has frequently been urged
that there are not many farmers who
might not make a small flock of sheep
profitable. This, I believe, to be Ne;
and as the fact becomes more gendyally
recognized, the tendency will be tp in
crease both the number of focky and
the number of sheep throughout the
0andry has been referred to, our minds
nave usually reverted to those partially
settled localities where focks are made
Up of thousands. There will be less
eason for this each year, as the logic
II events is certain to diminish the ex-
ent of ranges, and popularize smaller
locks among farmers.
In this transition the Merino is des-
ined to be an important factor. It
ners an unrivalled base for crosses BY
anger bodied types, where such a
curse is found desirable. No other
reed is so cosmopolitan. 1t will thrive
here any other breed will get liv-
ig, and will live under privations
here few others could exist. No
Their sheep will so certainly and so
apidly improve the fleeces of breeds
18th which they may be crossed; and
nder suitable conditions, such crosses
Ill in no wise detract from &c merits
carcass. With this hasty survey of
lie situation, it may be concludecAtSat
progressive Merino sheep husbanN
the only one that is likely to surviS
5ainst the pressure of low prices and
creasing competition. The flock own
:, who is not ready and determined to
Ike long stride in advance of the
andards and policies which obtained
the past, is already out of the race.
Id the sooner he comes to realize the
ct the better. The procession OF
en- who are to achieve success is now
owing and those who feel themselves
liable to keep step with the quicken
g march are to be left by the way
de. The system that will hereafter
cceed will necessarily leave behind
me of the men, many of the animals
i'd many of the practices of the past.
A. NJ. Garland