Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-01-24
MERlNO BREEDERS MEET.
Vermont Association Discusses the Out
look for the Future.

| usual huulDCl VI SuctD OTttutTS were
present, and an interesting and profitable
session resulted. Pres. Ira l.. Hamblin
called the meeting to order, and delivered
the annual address. He spoke as
follows:
Gentlemen of the Vermont Merino Sheep
! Breeders Association: We come together
today under rather peculiar circum stances
and we may well inquire "WheIe are we at?"
| Our country seems to be in period of unex.
| ampled prosperity. yet we find the price of
wool relatively low as compared with other
products. How long this will continue we
cannot tell, but let look at some facts
which confront us today:
| First: Shall we turn to the dairy? Some
one has said that 1.-THE production of gilt.
edged butter would never be oyerdone." ]
take the following figures from the Boston
| market report of James Dryden Co. for the
week ending Oct 10, 1901 Exports of butter
since May |, 1901, 1885, ,2S4 lbs. same time last
year, 62S ,2S5 lbs. An increase of 1865 lbs.
during period of little over five months,
and am told by reliable dealers that IL it
had not been for the export trade butter
would not have been worth over twelve or
| fourteen cents pound to the producer. But,
you say, IL the much talked of Grout bill
becomes law it will help the dairy interests.
| True, 1t may, but this bill is opposed by the
| National Live Stock association, and this is
backed by numerous live stock and wool
BrOWerS HSSOcldtlOnS throughout Ine west,
VINO claim that 1t would mean a loss to the
cattle men alone of $2l 100000 annually, and
nothing has been said of the opposition given
by the manufacturers of imitation butter.
How about the sheep business? We find
| that we have in this country some fifteen or
| twenty million more sheep than we supposed
before the census was taken. On the other
hand, in the Australian Federation, the great
est sheep country on earth, 1t Is estimated
that the stock of sheep has diminished in the
last eight years from l24 100000 to 93OO0,O0O
head. Then, when consider the depletion
of f1ocks in South Africa and the increase in
the population OF the world, which was esti-
mated at the beginning of the 18th century at
Bl,UO0.OOO and today is estimated at l,55i,000,-
600, and the advance of civilization. which
means more andbetter clothing for the peo-
pie, is it any wonder that the Vermont shep
herd still clings TO his chosen vocation?
| In September last 1t was our privilege to
attend the Pan American Exp position and see
our Vermont sheep compared with Others
1t is very gratifying to be able to say that
many OF the prizes, including the two most
desirable sweepstakes on ram OF any age in
both the Merino A and Merino classes,
came tn Vermont, and also to note the fact
that the largest American Merino ram shown
in proportion to age was yearling also in
the Vermont exhibit These things show
concusively that Vermont Is holding her
reputation on this side of the water. In Aus.
tralia our sheep have met with bitter oppo-
stion, but repeated trials as to the merits OF
our sheep and their crosses with the Austral
ian b. ve resulted in favor of the Vermonts,
and now the wool from the Vermont.Aus'
| tralian cross is the wool sought after, and
some OF the strongest Vermont Merino enc.
mics have been turned into friends.
| In South Africa, where they once shipped
the "mortgage lifting" Rambouillets, there is
every reason to believe that the old reliable
Vermont Merino is pushing to the front. The
ln of hnf tY,I tad tl,t1
fact with no uncertain sound, and we predict
good market in that country if ever peace
shall be declared.
Here in America during the last few years,
comparatively little attention has been given
to the production Of wool; but if that com
modify should advance sufficiently in price
there would Immediately be a demand for
Merino rams. Vermont-especially Addison
and Rutland counties-claim to be headquar
ters for Merinos, and we shall hold our
ground against all comers.
We are glad that Gen. Grosvenor of Ohio
has championed the wool growers interests
by introducing in the house of representa-
tives bill requiring manufacturers and i'm
poriers OF wooden goods to mark every piece
OF goods that goes to the consumer with u
label showing the percentage of wool, cotton
or othe: material contained therein. 1t
seems only fair when we buy n suit of clothes
that we should know whether it is wool or
shoddy, but whether this becomes law or
not there has been no time during the last
ten years when we should be so slow to leave
the Merino sheep business as today.
We know that some breeders have been
, well nigh discouraged and would call their
attention to a few words taken from Alfred
Harmsworth's advice "The worlds effect
i've workers are constantly increasing in
numbers, competition is steadily growing
keener. The man who wins recognition I'm
this twentieth century will have to do some
one thing extremely we'll" Those who have
given their sheep the closest attention have
made II pay even in dull times. SO | say to
, you, sheepmen of Vermont, "Stick to youI
text" Life is too short to change your estab
lished occupation. Breed for constitution
form, covering, more density of fleece with
, medium length of staple, and some day you
will he rewarded.
! The reports of officers and com
? mttees followed. The secretary-treas 5.
: urer reported receipts of S207 so and ex
! penses of s290.27.
The following officers were elected
t President, Cyrus II. Smith, Townline
{ presidents, Harry f. Sanford, West
Cornwall, Charles NJ. Remele, Middle
bury; secretary and treasurer, Ira l.
Hamblin, Middlebury. The salary OF
Mr.. Hamblin was fixed at 5000. Direct
ors, j. G. 5. Hamilton of BridpOrt, JOSEPH
Il. Stickney of Shoreham, V. j. Carpen
: ter of Addison and Arthur L. Field o.
Cornwall. Committee on pedigrees
Edgar n Bissell of Shoreham, Charles
: Crane of Bridport and Charles A. Chap
i man of Ferrisburg.
L. A. Webster was called upon an(
!, made some interesting remarks. He de
: clareu that the outlook was one of tn,
:, best-better, in fact, than for a long time
, He said now was the best time to start
:, flock.
n Discussion followed by c. A. Chapman
n and others on the general outlook.
q K. n Bissell of Shoreham, who wa
g unable to be present, sent an interestin.
l. paper which was read by Mr.. Chapman
v He joined the other breeders In sayini
that the outlook appeared to him verl
bright, He gave his reasons as follows