The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-02-01
ADVANTAGE IN SHEEP BREEDING


The Demand for Mutton and Lamb
Steady, and Prices of Wool Good.
AS an economical agent in using
farm products in the making Of meat
the sheep has strong claims as lead
er. In the use of grass the sheep is
generally considered more economical
than the steer, and in the returns in
meat from the staple farm crops, corn,
wheat or peas, it has both the steer
and the hog beaten, and when it comes
to doing the same with corn and al
falfa the lamb again has the ilgu1 es OF
reliable tests in its favor In these
things the lamb pleases the producer.
Again, while lamb sells higher on
foot than the steer, the peculiar fact
is observable almost anywhere that
the choicest cuts from the lamb are
sold cheaper per pound to the con-
sumner than the choice cuts of beef
And more economical cuts may be Sc
cured, too. furthermore, many parts
that are almost waste in the steer, such
as the neck, may be made into a very
relishable dish of pot pie in the in
stance of the sheep. In these things
the lamb pleases the consumer
The sheep, too, is one of those tubs
that stand on their own bottoms 1t
does not have to follow steer to make
the most profit nor does it need to be
an appendix to the dairy industry to
make it an economical producer of
profit. merely mention these things
that conditions may be the better UNI
derstood and not to disparage other
lines of honest effort
Again, sheep may be economically
handled in small or large numbers,
which is matter yet to be demon
strated in the case of some others that
are money-malIers on a small scale,
but not so proportionately when the
business is expanded.
AS an assistant in putting the sheep
business on a better basis we have the
further fact that the diseases they are
subject to have become controllable.
l refer to scab and some others that
have produced losses in the business.
While the lamb market has kept
good it is also a gratifying fact that
wethers fat off grass have usually
bought a good price 1t is to be re-
membered, in considering the price of
yearling wethers, that they have al
ready turned in a good fleece of wool,
and in most cases have been cheaply
wintered and made their flesh of grass.
This season wool has been a fair
price, and if it does not go any higher
there is not much reason for COM
plant, especially from the sheep
breeder who has mutton lambs to sell.
1t is fair to assume that the fleece at
present prices will at least pay run
ming expenses, with the lamb left to
account for the profits. We do need,
however, to give stability and tone to
the wool market, law that will enable
the wearer to know If the goods he
buys are shoddy or pure wool. In my
estimation nothing has had more to do
with the low price of wool than the
extent to which shoddy is used in
place Of pure wool.
Should one under existing conditions
assume the temerity to write of the
future? | can only say I have faith
in it because everything about the
sheep business seems to have such
healthy tone The present prosper
Gus condition is the result of known
natural causes that have been in ac-
ton for a long time. 1t is not the re-
suit Of catastrophe in economic con-
ditions; it is not sudden 1ckleness ON
the part Of the consumer, this prefer
ence for mutton, but the deliberate
outcome Of economic conditions which
are likely to prevail for years.
Sheep ranching has been gradually
undergoing a radical change. 1t is
becoming steadily a settled business
instead of a migratory one that would
stampede on the slightest scare as to
prices The shortening up Of the
range and the operation Of leases is
going to give the business a stability
both locally and on the markets which
is hopeful for the future
Sold