The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-18

PERIODS Caused HeaNS Mort'shas
EAST Demands breeding Ewes.
Some very interesting facts are being
brought out in connection with the s~eep IN
dustry in the Northwest and the revival that
is taking place just not only west, but
east of the Missouri river. The Indiana
Farmer printed in its issue of Aug. 1S, let
ter by c. F. Martin, of Denver, Col, which
throws some light upon the subject 1t is
as follows:
careful canvass of the sheep situation
develops a condition quite favorable to this
branch of the live stock industry in the ter
ritory lying west of the Missouri river. In
this section Of the country careful estlma-es,
based upon the best information obtainable,
shows that there are now go 20, eco sheep Gn-
GLIDING lambs cut OF a total or 4oVO,u0 IN
the United States. 1t is for this reason t: at
in discussing the sheep situation, spec ID at
tention must OF necessity be given the West
While the industry as a whole was never
In a more prosperous condition, the lamp
crop does not show as large percentage as
usual due apparently to two reasons: FIRST,
owing to the rapid increase in the size OF
the fccks, fully 90 per cent of the ewes OF
last years lamb crop being retained fer tie
purpose of producing wool, there was
scarcity of bucks, the increase in ewes being
fully 20 per cent greater than the increase in
male sheep This had a serious effect on the
lamb crop. In addi ion TO this, the universal
cod rains during Landing season caused a
mortality of from Il to 80 per cent, according
TO location. 50 it is doubtful if the per cent
of lambs Will equal 60 per cent of the num-
Der of ewes, which being e.tiamted at 1l,0o0,-
090 would make tie lamb crop about TO-
2G0GOO.
All sections report forage the finest in ten
years. and the lambs are larger and fatter
than usual at this time of year, the only ex-
ception being in one or two limited sections
along the Pacific coast where drouth has
prevailed.
While there are many focks trailing east
ward from the Pacific SlOpe there dos s not
appear to be many herds moving in the
ownership of the great slaughterers as in
former seasons. Nearly al the Western rail-
roads report about the usual number of
''sheep-in-tr sit" especially a. grazing
points mountain divisions where flock
masters have increased their herds from the
drOuth districts of the Pacific coast TIE
largest number of this class reported are 10
Gated in the Wasatch and Blue noun. aims
of Utah, where about 10000 sheep are sum-
mering. OF this number at least 10000 are
destined for market, 5000 being held by two
firms. According TO information re, eived di-
rect from owners, however, 1T appears that
less sheep will be marketed this year than
last. The high price of Western wool, IA to
1sc per round and the fancy prices paid for
Western alfalfa fed lambs the Eastern
markets. makes ii much more profitable for
breeders to grow wool and lambs than NUT
ton. A liberal estimate of the number of
muttons that will go to market this year
from the great West based upon informa-
ton received from all sections, is placed at
from 10 to is per cent OF the total. Last yer
the figures were % per cent, and for two
years previous SO per cent.
A new feature expected to be encountered
IN the Eastern markets this season Is a
demand from the far Eastern states for ewes
for breeding purposes. During the depres-
sion Of the VOL and sheep industry in recent
years Eastern hocks permitted to
down TO a very low point. Under the present
prosperous conditions farmers are anxious
to expand their 1ocks aga n, and the cQnse-
quent demand for ewes, which the West
viii have to SUPPLY viii it is IS mated, re-
quire over 100000 ewes to satisfy.
While there is still unnoticed disposition
70 held on to the ewes and to sell only the
wether lambs, it is bel eyed that the West
VIII be able to furnish much larger per-
ceniage of ewes for market than last year,
but they VIII go out as stockers rather than
feeders, as it is expected that they viii COM
mand a better price from the breeders than
from the feeders.
The outlook for lamb feeding next winter
as usual this time of the year, is very much
in doubt. In Colorado next fall the majority
OF breeders will seek to secure New Mexican
lambs, as I has been shown by experience
that this class of lambs do better and bring
better price finished than any other kind.
The reason generally attributed is the fact
that lambs from that section are of medium
grade not thick pelted, and the flesh has
not the ely taste of the finer grades Many
beets this season and will combine tn; m W tn
the alfalfa and corn, usiCg only to fin sh
ard give the proper cOlcr WI lie the feeders
report satisfactory returns for last winter
head for feeding. there is a growing senti-
mont against paying as gh prizes as were
paid last year A number of contracts have
already been made in New Mexico for fall
delivery at pr ces ranging from s1.25 to $l.75
per head, and these are the prices that the
feeders are willing to pay. In the Fort Col
Inns district it IS ella med that unless prices
are lower than last year, % per cent of the
feeders viii decline TO take the chances, but
VII turn their attention to cattle feed n.y.
There Is movement in some quarters in
favor CT buying lambs on the range by weight
instead of by the head. Some contracts have
been made in this way already, the prices
feeders estimate that they must buy lambs to
feed at not to exceed 4c per h. with freight
pad TO river. in order to succeed
1t IS too early yet to correctly estimate the
wcc! crop, but from reports received from
many sections the crop is fully equal to last
year, and an increase OF 10 per cent is can-
seryatlye estimate Prices being paid are
very much higher than last year, and flock
masters will net handsome profits. Prices
have been running from 14c to 1Sc per lib
on the range The quality of the wool is
rather above the average