Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-06-03
SHEEP IN THE WEST.
Rapid Increase Of Flockae In Prairie
States and Range Country. 4

al increase Ux FAOCK IN FfA1r10
Slater and Range Country.
Throughout the west a buoyant feel
ing exists among sheep raisers, and
numbers + increasing with consider
able rapidity, especially in the valleys
Of the Mississippi and Missouri. The
impulse of growth is felt In all the
states of the Ohio valley.
In Indiana, which has never been q
distinctly wool growing state, accord
Ing to Professor G. s. Plumb the ''sheep
and wool interests are destined to a
very considerable increase" He says
it is many years since Indiana has had
as many sheep as today. In breeding
the value of a good mutton carcass is
not lost sight of, while wool Is an i'm
;portant consideration. The Rambouil-
let Merino is now very popular there,
and the Delaine ,Merinos are held in
high esteem. The sheep Of Indiana
are mainly Of the mutton breeds,
though there is. now a tendency to
cross with Merinos Of large size that
approach the mutton conformation.
Shropshire grades are now predomi-
nant, and many growers incline toward
the Rambouillet as an improving cross.
There is rapid increase Of focks In
the prairie states west of the Missis-
sippi. Iowa is perhaps more interested
in sheep husbandry than ever before.
Sheep are increasing quite rapidly In
Minnesota and the Dakotas, and num-
bers are, now greater than at any for
mer period. The feeling is general that
under present conditions sheep should
prove fully as profitable as any other
branch of stock raising. @S:&,
The region west Of the prairies, the
range country, including Texas and: the
Pacific coast Is the principal area Of
American wool growing. In all this re-
gion the industry is now furnishing.
Sheep are increasing, the flock masters
have the confidence and courage to ex-
tend operations, use their time and
money in efforts for breed Improve
ment and give the care and attention
to details necessary for the permanent
welfare of hocks. Everywhere they ap-
pear to be content with the situation.
Advices from Montana and Wyo-
ming, where shepp are counted by mil
lions and valued as never before, the
total value Of the focks Of the former
being greater than that Of any other
state and Of the latter only exceeded
by that of Ohio, declare a condition Of
prosperity and contentment. Similar
conditions are reported in Utah and
Idaho. !. s%
New Mexico is credited with the lar
gest number of any state or territory.
The department of agriculture esti-
mates 3,397.439, and Governor Otero
estimates last years product Of wool
at over 100000 pounds and declares
that sheep ~husbandry lis now the most
prosperous industry In the territory.
The industry is also quite prosperous
In Arizona, and sheep are increasing
rapidly. ID
California Woolgrowers are reported
rs generally jubilant over present pros
poets, u the return Of a fne wool
period, feeling that the tendency Of the
next decade will be toward the grow
Ing Of merino wool Of long staple. \
Oregon and Washington flocks also
are increasing in number, giving a rea-
sonable profit to flock, owners, accord.
| ing to the report. OF Special Agent j. r.
Dodge, who has been Investigating the
sheen industry. Il FESG FSz. %i u