The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1904-06-15
STOCK
The Demand for Fall Lambs.
(Henry Stewart

profitable business in the production
of these choice products. Times and
seasons no longer count in this respect
Hence it is worth while for all those
whose conVeniences permit them to
engage in the production of these
things, to study the conditions under
which the supply of them is demanded,
and met in the markets. But 1t is a
matter of convenient location more
than anything else that controls this
business. A dressed lamb put UP in
an attractive manner and neatly and
cleanly wrapped or packed, sells on
sight, while one that is carelessly
dressed and shipped or exposed for
sale, goes a begging for purchasers.
Any one who wishes to enter this
profitable business should visit a city
or large town market and interview
a dealer, and see for himself first what
is wanted and how it is wanted. 1t
may appear as a surprise to many in
terested that lamb of 40 pounds live
weight, or a little heavier, making no
more than or 8 pounds a quarter
dressed, should be salable to the eX-
tent that would make it bring as much
more in the market as it's dam would.
But it is so, not only with lambs, but
with other market products. A little
chicken, which is only large enough to
be brCiled whole for a single persons
meal, sells for more than the hen
which Matched it will bring The fact
is that there is an eVer-eXhaustlVe de-
mand in the markets for all kinds OF
luXuries, including in this term things
which are in advance of the season,
and the early lamb is one of the most
popular of all such products.
And there is a fashion in it too. 1t
is scarcely known by those farmers
who rear these lambs why one with
black face and legs is most popular in
the markets. but it is so. The reason
is probably because quite number OF
wears ago when the market was first
supplied with them, the lambs were
of the Shropshire breed, pure or OF
common native ewes and South
down or Hampshire ram; the latter
preferable because of the more con-
spicuOuS and deep color OF the black
points, and when the eXacting cOnsum-
ers are once suited with anything, eS-
pecially marked, they adhere to the
marks thinking these are an lnfalllDle
criterion as to the quality and OF
course it is the part of wisdom for all
producers Of whatever product 1t may
be. TO consult the WISHES Vi lucll Jus
toners without a question. NeVerthe-
less it is very certain that the Dorset
ewes bred to the same rams, will bring,
more certainly, both as to appearance
and season, the most desired lambs
in every way except as to the black
points.
These however, may be got II de-
sired by the breeder, by using Dorset
ewes along with a Hampshire ram
and if only the male lambs are sold,
and the best of the cross bred eve
lambs are kept for the flock, it will
require only a few years to get flock
lust right for this lamb business, per-
manently.
1t is a point long well known to
breeders, that any desired habit may
be fixed on a flock quite easily by sue
cessive steps, each taken in advance
of the previous one. Hence, any klnd
of ewes may be brought to breed
ing condition at any desired season OF
the year by gradual change OF treat
ment AS for the rams, they VIII ac-
cOmmOdate the ewes at any time OF
the year these may be in season. For
this reason it is very little trouble
for one desiring to get into the Christ
mas or Easter lamb business to do
so if the proper way is taken. This IS,