The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1909-01-25
SHEEP
SAYS DR. SHAW
To the West Virginia Farmers
and After That Sell
Milk He Advises.

4 +.
Harrison county farmers who arc
In attendance at the Agricultural
school at the university at Morgan
town, are awake to the Importance OF
the situation, and fully appreciate the
splendid service OF the school But.
they do not show selfishness because
Tof their privilege, II II be called such.
Of attending the school To the con-
trary the ideal fraternal interest Is
shown by letters to- the Telegram ask
Ing for the publication of reports they
send from the school for the bene-
1t of, the farmers generally OF the
county. Hher Is one of their artl-
eles. with which they hope to Inspire
their neighbors to action:
DR.. Thomas Shaw. for many years
professor OF animal hubandry in the
University OF Minnesota. completed
his series OF lectures to short course
students last night and win leave to-
day for, his home in st, Paul. Dr.
Shaw is one of the leading authorities
in the country on agriculture sub
jects and his lectures. have been very
Interesting and beneficial. When ask
ed last night by the New Dominion
as to the agricultural possibilities 81
this state, DR.. Shaw said:
"Phe agricultural possibilities Of
West Virginia are great. In my opIn-
ion the Industry of greatest promise,
the one that should get the most at
tentiona is sheep husbandry. Ny rea-
sans for this opinion are first, the fact
that You can Craze sheep nearly all
the year in this climate; second, that
the grasses are Of the best: third,
that there are ample shade and water
and. II properly managed, the sheep
would fertilize soil; fourth, the hIlly
land is peculiarly adapted. to that
kind OF farming.
THE land in. this state should not
be cultivated because OF the loss Of
soil and fertility. The aim should be
to increase the productive power of
the grasses without blowing. II Is
my judgment that this productive
power could be increased so per cent.
by the judicious management OF sheen
think there Is an excellent on
portunity for the growing of winter
lambs. December lambs could he
grown here and put on the market
at time when they would hiring top
prices.
'The next industry of greatest
promise for this state is that OF pro-
ducing milk. This should be done on
valley land. with adjacent hin land
for grazing. Good cows should pro-
duce 5000 pounds OF milk. year.
This rctails at about cents pound.
which would mean gross revenue
Of $3.50 a year for each COW.
1T is my judgment that there Is
not much money in growing beef as
it is ordinarily grown in this state.
The people here usually sell thelr
beer at three years and over. II the
cost OF the Investment. the value OF
the pasture and winter feed are con-
sidered, 1t will appear, I think. that
beef is grown in West Virginia at a
loss.
Money can be made at growing
beef in this state. however, provided
the calves are reared on skinned
milk and by-products, forced along
and sold under the age of % months.
Cattle should then weigh from 1000 to
1900 pounds and would bring top
prices in the markets
The third industry is that OF poul-
try, for which the state is very highly
adapted because Of the mild character
OF the climate and the ease with
which food can be grown.
The next in order. propbably. Is
fruit Industry for which there Is al
ways a first class market in the towns
and cities that are springing up on
every hand. There Is also great room
for truck farming and tho growing of
very profitable crops Of potatoes. In
my Judgment the farmers Of West
virginia should study 10 raise pros
ducts that will not come in conflict
with those grown on cheaper grounds
in the West The western farmers
can produce more cheaply many
kinds Of grain. also cheese and but
ter. But because OF the cost oil
freight they cannot harm the Virginia
farmers in raising milk. hay, poultry,
fruit and small produce"