The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-19
SEPTEMBER 10, 1902.

but there is, however, but remote danger
Of prices descending so low but that good
margins will4be secured by those who will
follow the Industry intelligently. But few
sections can boast Of such favorable OPP
portunities for sheep husbandry under
farm conditions as may be found In the
Willamette valley, and the coast counties.
The conditions are simply ideal for NUT
ton breeds, especially the long wool breed.
It is not uncommon for yearlings Of these
breeds, coming direct from the field, with
out grain feeding, to weigh from 200 to
ESQ pounds. This is not at all surprising
when we consider that any thoughtful
farmer can secure feed in the open field
for sheep summer and winter, with but
few exceptions in the latter season. With
grass, vetch, clover and rape for summer
and autumn, and with fall-sown wheat
for winter and early spring, continuous
supply of succulent and nutritious food
may be had. If, on the other hand, the
farmer desires to carry the maximum
number Of sheep his land will support,
then winter feeding with clover hay, sill
age and grain can be practiced. Thus
the crops OF few acres can be made to
support good-sized flock of sheep
Aside from the advantage of a large
crop of nutritious food, the farmer can
engage In this industry without tying
up any of his capital in buildings, the
mutton breeds of sheep do best in our
mild climate when fed in the open field
or lot. Western Oregon can easily acquire
a. reputation for producing high class
mutton. When this is done there will
practically be no limit to the demand, for
In addition to the constantly increasing
local consumption Of mutton, a high class
article can bear the cost of transporta-
ton to distant markets and bring salts
factory returns to the producer.
The conditions Of wheat fields this
Jason illustrate fOrcih1v how GA Sj1y- CHI can
can be kept in good condition in this sec
ton, for as early as the middle of No
vember the fall wheat, in many in
stances, become so luxuriant as to neces-
state the turning Of sheep upon it. With
the usual winters this wheat can be pas
tured the whole winter, carrying large
share Of the time from two to four sheep
to the acre. There are but few years
when much hay and grain have to be
fed, as rape and turnips may be fed off
the open field up to Christmas. Then there
| Is scarcely a season but that fall-sown
wheat or rye can be pastured by the
middle of February, thus making the win
ter feeding period a short one. When we
| consider the healthful climate the long
| growing season and the amount Of vege-
| tation supported by the soils of this val
| ley, it is remarkable that a larger num-
Der of sheep is not kept. This section
cannot be surpassed for economical pro-
ouCtlO1l OIL CldSS mutton. win care
| full attention to the growing Of crops best
suited to the industry, and with an intel
ligent system Of grading up the stock,
| coupled with modern methods Of feeding,
| sheep husbandry can be made Immensely
| profitable In western Oregon.
| The Mohar Industry.
| The Angora goat-breeding industry is
capable of expansion within the borders
| state. millions these
mails can easily be maintained a large
portion of the year upon a class of feec
! which annually goes to waste, namely, the
| leaves Of different varieties Of trees anC
shrubs which grow upon our hills ant
mountain slopes. The hundred Thousand
Of well-graded goats owned by the farm
ers Of this state from a nucleus, for tn
| f1ocks Of the future. There is a yer,
limited market for the flesh of these ami
mails at present, but with well fattene'
goats of the future it Is scarcely to b.
feared. that remunerative markets for thi
ers Of this state form Il nucleus for tn
present the farmer can we'll content him
self with the annual returns from thei
fieeces The value of the fleece will de
pend upon the weight and quality of tn
= hair. Hence, the feeces.. of goats, ma
take a wide range in their value, varyin
perhaps from so cents to 81 per fleece
The farmer usually engages in the indus
try with two primal Objects-frst, t
, utilize the goats to exterminate; the grub
and brush, or, in other words, to max
them perform, the duties Of grubDbers
second, is the annual revenue derive
from the sale of the hair ,. ~.
There is quite an area Of land In tn
southern portion Of the state which
too precipitous for general agriculture
This land at present contains a dens