Fergus County argus., 1902-07-23

before the bloom Will give an aver
age return of at least three tons per
acre. Once started-and it's no
trouble at all to get a stand-it will
crowd mustard aud every other weed
out, until finally 1t reigns supreme.
The only difficulty will be met in cut
ting 1t. On account of the density OF
the growth an ordinary 5ts or 6 foot
mower is of no use, but this diff
Guilty can be easily overcome by hav-
ing a mower made with foot sickle.
Blue grass and alfalfa are destined to
make millionaires of the range own
ers of Fergus county.
Shearing at the Willow creek shear
ing plant will be finished this week,
probably some time Saturday. This
is one of the best constructed plants
that there Is in the west and under
the able management of NJ. b. Z.
Stack, with a corpse Of competent as
sistants, has been a most gratifying
success both to the owners and to its
patrons. Everything moves there
with the regularity OF time itself. All
is pleasantly, no friction of any kind.
and the only sound to disturb the
stiffness is the regular click of the
machines as they cut their way
through the wool, turning out an av-
erage of over three thousand feeces
per day. Mr.. r. A. Marcus. who Is
the champion sheep shearer of the
world, had tally of 242 at this plant
and Mr.. Nels. Paulson stands next
with a record of 1893 in nine hours
work. The crew all through has been
fast one. and the men have all
made records this year that they can
be proud of. E. N. Thrasher, the
engineer, Is mechanic of the first
class and has kept the machines run
ming without the loss Of a minute.
In fact the happy faces at the plant
can probably be attributed to Frank
Ford, who is chief cook, and who has
been setting = table for the men that
was fit for a king. Below we give A
poem of a gentle shepherd. whose
hocks were shorn at this plant this
year:
SHEEP sHEARING THEN AND NOW
"come, gather round. my lambkins dear" an
aged eve did say,
Whose toothless gums full plainly showed
she'd seen better day;
Tomorrow all of US must 60 to Sage creek to
be shorn.
So let me post your silly brains before the
dreadful morn.
ATS many years since first they took m,
| fieecy cloak.
And you will find, my yearlings gay. tina
| shsaring Is no joke.
Oh. little do you dream about the dangers Of
| the pen.
Oh. little do you know how fierce those fear
some shearing men.
Great Scott What shearing crews I've met
II makes my mutton creep
To think what tortures We endured before they
clipped us sheep.
They used to give US heavy kicks and whacA
US on the nose
With sheep shear handles and with fists they
dealt US many blows.
81 used to watch them when they came packed
| in wagon-box.
As, jammed 'mongst bulging beds and bags
| they ratified DER the rocks.
Big, sunburned lads from Mexico and Texal
wild men. too.
And when they passed US on the range they'c
give loud 'halloo.'
"For days in dust and drouth you'll stay with
in the hot sheep fold,
And If our owner hurries them that crew viii
quit him cold;
They'll fay your hide and chaw you up ant
smear your skin with gore
l know what am talking Of, for I've beer
there before
The lambkins waeged their stumpy tails an,
slanted back their ears.
Their pouches all were stuffed with grass. thei
heads were full Of fears.
The aged eve gave doleful bleats-they al
were mournful sheep
They ceased to feed and struck for camp. to,
full of woe to sleep.
Next day was clear. At 1 p. m. they started Oh
that flock.
The old eve stared In wild surprise. her nerve
got quite shock;
When her turn came her coat flew off, sh
scarce believed her eyes.
"Baa! Baa. she said. "on this ere crew ther
surely are no tiies."
All day those swift machines buzzed on. at
the band was shorn.
The lambkins hooted that old eve. She sal,
Il own tile corn:
, see ! was behind the times. for. thanks I
, Mr.. Stack.
Our hides are whole. our wool is off. and no
We can go back"
The herder and his faithful dog will soon t
seen no more.
, They'll join the buffalo and wolf upon ii
other shore.
Machines will come that take in grass an
spout out lambs and wool
!. And mutton, too. Sheepherders. bucks an
ewes can go to sheol.
La ENvoI.
You rho will live when am dead.
, Write down my wishes quick:
Protect IL, keep II. let II stand.
A way-mark in this changing land
This shearing plant by the creek.