The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-11
SHEEP INDUSTRY REVIVINC
STARTLING DECREASE IN THE
AUSTRALIAN FLOCKS IN 1897

AUSTRALIAN FL0CKS IN 1897
Drouth and the Expiration of Pas
tornI Leases the Cause-A Great
Decline Anticipated In 100O--op-
portunities Suggested to North
western of
Creating FIocks.
The past season has been very prontapie
u these engaged in the sheep industry, ana
there is much quiet speculation as TO wnat
the coming season will produce. The depres-
sion in the industry during the past few
years IS regarded by those familiar with the
subject as a healthy Intervention, where con-
sidcration is given to the subject OF improve
ment in breeding. The life Of the ordinary
sheep is comparatively short at best Dur
ing the period of low prices and lapse In
culture these animals were mercilessly
slaughtered. With the increasing demand Is
associated the opportunity for making better
selections in the work of propagation. How
far this viii be availed of remains to be
seen. The fact has been noted by experts
who have recently explored the Western and
Southwestern ranches that an Improvement Is
manifest both in the direction of mutton and
wool breeds. 1t is becoming apparent to the
growers of sheep that it pays to raise good
article. The scarcity of frst-class wool,
grown in this country, is opening the eyes
of intelligent men to the possibilities exist
ing in this line, and inquiries are frequent
among well known breeders as to what spe-
cies the best for the ends sought.
The losses in sheep in Australia has been
previously referred to in this column. The
Wool and Cattle Reporter, of Bost5n, recently
supplied some remarkable figures with refer
ence to the condition of things in New South
Wales. For instance. the number of sheep
In that colony alone at the close of 1896 was
4S,SS,790. while on Dec. 81, 1897. the sheep
census gave as the figures 1866, $780, or
loss during a single twelve months Of 4,652,
$50. This condition is said to have been d.
rectly due to the drouth which even at that
date, partially prevailed in all its intensity.
The sheep census of 1886 showed the existence
there Of 46,5OS,467 The height of the indus
try was reached in 1851, when the number re-
turned was 81 SS1, 416. In 1892 the figures
were IS. 0S0,114, ard in 1893 these had con-
tracted to 569S0,6SS. There was a remarkable
equality between that year and 1894, when
the number recorded was sc, 81, go or
shrinkage of only 341S. But in the following
year. 1895. the number had fallen to 1851
6S7 in 1896, it had risen to IS 100, and in
1897 it fell again. stated above to 43, 665 $50,
the lowest within fifteen years.
1t will thus be seen that there was a de-
cline within period of six years of Is, 165, $50
head, or, in other words, about 80 per cent
Attention is called to the fact that this
shrinkage in the number of sheep in New
South Wales is equal to about one-half the
sheep at this time in the United States AS to
tlNn
is made that between 1892 and 1896 pastoral
and occupation leases on approximately
100000 acres were withdrawn; and it is in
timated that similar rights to the use of
Fl, 226,0OO will be shown to have expired in
the year 1897 This has led to a wholesale
slaughter of sheep as the only means of dis
posing of them. But supplemental to these
statements the information comes forward
that by the close of the year 1900 the leases
upon an additional area of L, $40 865 acres will
have expired. Some of these lands are now and
will later on be occupied by those engaged
IN the grazing business on a smaller scale.
but the inroads upon the focks by reason of
these changes must necessarily be enormous
lhconcelVable. But one important cause of
the decline in the industry is attributed to
growing indifference to the detail of breed
ing resulting in gradual, put final, decay in
the quality of the product The inevitable
law OF L ture with regard to in breeding will
IN the end, assert itself and in a way that
must always prove disastrous to those who
disregard the absolute necessity of the exer-
else OF decent care in this respect It is as
true of the quadruped as of the human ami
mails, that deterioration and vitiation must
result from persistent Indifference to the true
principles OF propagation.
This noticeable decay in the sheen indus
try OF Australia ought to serve as an in
SEPARATION TO farmers in the Northwest esne
cially, and lead them to undertake, but un-
derstandingly and with the utmost care the
work of recreating and the up-buildng of
domestic fiocks. They should begin upon
the most substantial foundations. The fol-
lowing timely remarks regarding the revival
OF the sheep industry here are given by the
Iowa Homestead:
Everywhere is noticeable a gradual and
healthy increase in the sheep industry. We
are now able to report about / OO0 non moro
sheep than one year ago. Flock owners and
Individual farmers in all parts of the coun-
try are building up their fiocks. This is be,
ing carried on by both the natural increase
ana by purchase. 1t is very easy to sell
sheep, but not so easy to buy them. This is
evidenced by the fact that present owners
OF sheep want to buy rather more than sell.
Ewes are retained as flock foundations and
better rams are being bought for building up
the business. ny
Although we ola not like the recent de-
preston IN wool and sheep, yet we verify be-
!leVe that it has been a blessing in disguise.
fnasmuch as it has caused many culls to
go TO market and it has demonstrated the
necessity for better Management and better
breeding, which will eliminate in supplying
the best for the market. The market quota
lions for sheep have advanced very generally
but the prices on farms have advanced more
rapidly than the market quotations This
indicates that the owners of these sheen
mean to stick to the business and that
others are falling in with the business who
hope to make a success of it. The highest
average price of sheep reported since 1890
was in 1893, when S2.66 was reported as the
average BY 1886 the price had slumped un-
til it had reached the low figure of SLIGO. or
falling off of over 40 per cent. The aver
age is now reported to be $2.51, or within
These are straws which show the way the
wind is blowing, and they are truthful indi-
cations of the business among farmers who
believe in the sheep industry. There are
many farmers who would like to engage in
the business at this time If they could only
purchase sheep at prices within the range
of business economy.
1t is noticeable fact also that the increase
OF the business is along mutton lines and
that mutton breeds are the kind CHIEFLY
sought. We firmly believe that the mutton il
to take the lead in the sheep industry from
this time on, and that when placed on this
footing sheep will not be Influenced so largely
by politics.
CARE Oh YOUNG SHEEP.
Ic fr,,a hot