Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-01-19
In life. OF. which there IS no more an
,ient. honorable and profitable

known and most useful and profitable
animal--the sheep--ls unknown.
II cannot be determiped with GER
tainty, that our modern sheep is de-
rived from any of the existing wild
species or from the crossing of several,
and of which there are number, or
from some now extinct species.
The variations of external churac-
feristics and adaptaSility TO various
conditions and consequently the inn
portance and value of the exhibition
Of the highest and best types found In
different domestic breeds, are very
great Their natural home is In the
high mountains (and In Asia are
found at AN elevation Of 10000 feet
in which their wonderful powers of
climbing and leaplng give them spe-
cial advantage.
LIVE IN EVERY CLIMATE.
Sheep not only live in every climate,
but no other animal will subsist
on greater variety of food.
barren mountains, in fertile
valleys, and is peculiarly adapted for
our own great desert. They feed upon
almost every species of edible. forage
the cultivated grasses. clovers, al
falfa. cereals aud roots-browsing ON
aromatic and bitter herbs, alike crop
ping the leaves and banks from stunted
forest shrubs and the pungent resinous
evergreens, In some parts of Norway
and Sweden, when other resources fail,
1t Is said, they subsist on fish or flesh
during the long, rigorous winter. and If
reduced to necessity, even devour their
own wool
From time immemorial, sheep have
been useful both for food and clothing.
1t has been used In the east as beast
of burden, and its milk has been used
as beverage, and for making both
butter and cheese, all of which affords
an excellent opportunity for convention
discussion and exhibition of samples of
the products of such varied conditions.
Not that ] would wish, however to
suggest new competitor in dairy pro-
ducts. for am devoted to the COW.
The calling of the sheep raiser has,
throughout all time. been conspicuous
and not wanting In dignity and import
ance,
ANCIENT FLoCKMASTERS.
Abel Abraham, his descendants and
most OF the ancient patriarchs. We're
engaged extensively in the business. Job
possessed 1900 head. Rachel. the IA
vored mother of the Jewish race. Game
with her fathers sheep for she kept
them" Moses the statesman and law
Kiver, learned in all the wisdom of the
Egyptians busted himself in tending
the flocks of Jethro, his father-in- law.
David, too, the sweet singer of Israel
and Its destined great monarch-the
Jewish hero, poet and divine, through
whom the Savior Himself traced His
lineage. was keeper of sheep. To
shepards, abiding in the field. keeping
watch over their focks by night, came
the glad tidings of a Savlor's birth.
The Hebrew term for sheep signifies
in its etymology, fruitfulness, album
dance, plenty. indicative OF the bless
tv,n f,I, las,t f,sa1
Ter upon the human family. In Holy
Scriptures this animal is the chosen
symbol of purity and the gentler vir-
tues, the victim of propitiatory sacri-
fices, and the type of redemption TO
fallen man.
slod, Virgil. Theocrtus. introduce them
In their pastoral themes, while
their heroes and mi-gods-Hercu
and Ulysses, Eneas and Numa--care
fully perpetuate them in their do
mains. l
ESSENTIAL STAPLES.
In modern times, they have engaged
the attention of the most enlightened
nations. whose prosperity has been HI
timately linked with them, wherever
| wool and It's manufactures have been
regarded as essential staples Spain
and Portugal during the two centuries
in which they figured as the most ell
terprising European countries, excelled
In the production and manufacture of
wool. Flanders, for time, took pre-
cedence of England In the perfection
of the arts; and the latter country then
sent what little wool she raised to the
former to be manufactured. This being
soon found highly unwise, large boun-
ties were offered by England for the
Importation OF artists and machinery;
and by systematic and thorough
pT lapiGlDfipn which lonkpd 10
the uttermost protection and increase
of wool and woolens, she gradually car
ried their productions beyond anything
the world had ever seen. Although the
British isles are in area but little more
than the state OF Utah lEngland and
Scotland being trihe less in area than
Utah, 1t has supported at one time
10, 10000 600 of sheep. In 1874 she had
over 10000, 900, and In 1905 had over 25.-
100000 of a very large and superior
quality, and this in the midst of a
dense population Then what are our
possibilities, and what must we do to
develop this great latent industry for
which our great arid empire Is SO pc
culiarly adapted, as well as the rich
farms of the Mississippi valley and sea-
board states. VIII II not be best pro-
noted by sheep raisers from all parts
OF the country meeting In conventions,
and exchanging their Views and expert
ments and stimulating their efforts
by competitive exhibitions of their best
samples of sheep, each learning from
the other something of advantage TO
his section?
The horse has been about to be put
out of commission many times, when
steam and electric power came into
general use; later the bicycle. and then
the automobile, and much has been
said of the horseless age, but of the
sheep there never has or Will be such q
statement. his wool is indispensable. and
no one has ever thought. much less
suggested. the sheepless age
THE VARIETIES.
But We are most concerned with ia
miliarizing ourselves with the varieties
which are successfully produced, and
the condition under which each does
best. That we may utilize the re-
sources for their production on our
Farms and ranches at the least
expense, risk and profit The exhibit
ton at national gatherings of sheep
men, Is an ideal time and place In
which TO show them. IT not only ar
fords convenient place for exhibition
and comparison, but adds interest TO
the convention. II will attract and in
sure the attendance OF many delegates
who would not otherwise be present
Who can profit by q national exhibit OF
sheep and which may possibly develop
Into an International exhibition. and
why should IL not?
Ours IL Indeed a strenuous age M