The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-05-07

II close proximity to the regions
where most of the sheep are produced
were the only factor In determining
the best location for a market, the
largest markets would be still farther
west than they are, because nearly 10
per cent. of the sheep in the United
States are west of the Mississippi
river, and 81 per cent. are In the
Rocky Mountain region and west OF
he Pacific coast.
Shipping facilities for getting the
output of the packing houses to the
consumer have an important bearing.
Still another factor which has great
deal of influence is the fact that many
sheep from the west are fattened In
the Mississippi and Missouri valleys.
Many of these are handled twice by
the markets, first as feeders. and again
as sheep intended for slaughter. When
sold as feeders. they so only compar-
atiyely short distance from the mar.
ket and this Is factor that equalizes
the seeming disparity OF the markets
being too far removed from the re-
gions Of heaviest production, and
really makes such places as Chicago
and Omaha the actual centers OF the
sheep trade.
The great central sheep markets OF
today have enjoyed very large
growth during the last 20 years. The
total number Of sheep received at Chi.
cago in 1887 was l.36O.s62: In 1907,
4.2lS.1l5. This growth is largely
traceable to the turning Of the sheep
husbandry interests in the west from
wool production. as n primary object
TO the production of both mutton and
wool, and to the rise OF the sheep feed
ing industry. BY liberal infusions ol
mutton blood into their tiocks. and b,
marketing their sheep at a younger
age than formerly. western fiockmas
ters supplanted dry, ilhiayored nut
ton with q wholesome product tha
met with ready demand. Almost a
the same time sheep feeding became
popular, and these better bred sheel
of the range. were also better fed. !
further impetus was thus given t
mutton consumption which has nov
reached the point. In many OF our eli
les, at least. where the only check I
liberal consumption is the lack of tn
ability TO buy.
With this increased activity In tn
production OF better mutton in tn
west and in feed lot operations. tn
large markets have not only increase
In volume of business but they hay
also improved In their organization. a
may be seen in the review Of cond
: tions past and present at the Chicag
market. Formerly sheep on this ma
ket were not classed and graded. br
they were sold In mixed bands jus
as they were unloaded from the car
Often these mixed shipments WEI
made up Of all ages and sexes.
every degree of quality and condition
!. The volume of business was small
mutton was not much sought afte
and hence the need of careful discrin
ination was not felt. To the commit
! sion man or the buyer this system pc
haps did not offer great Inconvenience
Perhaps the buyer even counted II |
his advantage as he Is inclined |
measure the value of the whole ole
ing by the inferior individuals in /
But to the shipper who occasionally vi
: tied the market. little opportunity wa
lpresented by such 3 system to dete
mine the preference Of buyers Tn
. system gaTe way to one that Is moi
: orderly and definite. The day OF II
buyer taking pot luck" on shipment
As q whole Is over. Now they are sor
: ed into the difYerenS classes and grade
and thus presented for the inspectio
LOT the buyer. The result ID an order
and definite market by which the ma