Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-03-12
Promotion of the Sheep Industry.
(Address by DR.. Leon 8. Merrill. during the
Farmers' Week Course, Orono)

| (Address by DR.. Leon 8. Merrill, during tht
| Farmers Week Course, Orono)
The success of campaign for the
promotion of an agricultural industry
depends primarily upon the economic
relation sustained by 1t to other agri
cultural industries, measured In terms ol
adaptability, opportunity and profit. We
may we'll say then that first of al
Information concerning the above factors
should be complete before well directed
action can be taken, and this information
can only be gained by thorough investi.
cation. From the foregoing II will there.
fore be seen that the organization of a
campaign for the promotion of an In
dustry resolves itself into two main divi-
sions: ~ investigation; (2) education.
We will then approach the discussion Of
our present subject from these two points.
INVESTIGATION.
In our attempt to develop the steps to
DO taken in an investigation we will
endeavor to do so in the order of their
importance, and will enumerate them as
follows:
]. Markets;
2. Breeds or types and distribution
In the state;
3. Adaptability as related to other
industries in profit;
4. Obstacles.
MARKETS.
Our investigation of markets should
establish list of available markets; the
amount of dressed mutton and lamb
handled by each market; the breed or
breeds best adapted to the needs of
those markets; the average price paid
for mutton and lambs at different seasons
of the year; the demand and price paid
for wool of different grades; all statistics
relating to prices of mutton, lambs and
wool to cover period of years; the rela-
the production Of wool computed in dol
lars and cents; shipping facilities and
rates. Expressed in other terms We
should determine whether markets are
ample, satisfactory, quickly and cheaply
available.
BREEDS AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN
THE STATE.
1t might have been better had the
heading of this section read "types of
sheep and their distribution" as the
essential facts to be learned are: What
breed or breeds, type or types Of sheep
have we upon our Maine farms, how
many of each breed, and where are they
located, are they the best breed or type,
and this leads US to inquire what is the
best breed or type. This question can
of course be answered in general way
by saying that the best type for Maine
farmers is the one yielding the greatest
net profit, thus involving determination
of production, cost and sale price.
ADAPTABILITY AS RELATED TO OTHER
INDUSTRIES IN PROFIT.
We need more accurate information as
to the cost of production of wool and
mutton. Is the sheep industry profitable
or can 1t be made profitable? How does
the percentage of profit compare with
other farming industries such as dairy
ing, the raising of fat stock, draft horses,
poultry keeping, fruit growing, the pro-
duction of potatoes, corn and garden
truck, for it must be considered that all
these are factors that must be taken into
consideration. 1t must be taken into
consideration that general farming con-
ditions and location in relation to market
influence not only the advisability of
farming systems but also the amount OF
profit. Taken all together this Is one of
the most important problems connected
with the sheep industry, for in its final
analysis the question of net profit is the
one in determining the
value of any business.
OBSTACLES
in the way Of development. Obstacles
are always met with in the path of all
development schemes, and in the develop
ment of the sheep industry no exception
will be found to this rule, but in review
ing this phase of tho general subject
your speaker will only mention those
obstacles which need to be surm0unted
Immediately. Returning to our first
general proposition these may be stated
to be lack of definite information as to
opportunity, adaptsbility and profit.
There are, to be sure, other obstacles,
such as the absence of satisfactory laws
for the protection Of sheep and for the
promotion of the industry, but In the
judgment of your speaker these latter
obstacles are of secondary Importance to
the one first named. Lack of definite
information concerning the details of
business is the greatest possible handi.
cap that can be placed upon it.
EDUCATION.
We now come to the consideration Of
the last phase of our subject which in
wolves the distribution of all the facts
brought out in our investigation. SO far
as classification of subject matter is con-
cerned it may be divided into
lst. Breeds or types Of sheep best
adapted to all the existing conditions;
End. Production and management OF
sheep;
Srd. Marketing.
So far az instruction is concerned he
following methods appear to be the mo ct
desirable:
1st. The demonstration sheep farm;
End. The employment of An itinerant
instructor whose business 1t shall be to
investigate conditions and distribute in
3rd. The publishing of bulletins and
circulars dealing with the practical prob
lens of the business;
4th. Timely newspaper articles from
authoritative sources.
No campaign program however pro-
gressive in thought can succeed unless 1t
be based upon q comprehensive knowl-
edge of all the details involved.
In closing l will raise these questions:
l. Is campaign for the promotion OF
the sheep industry In Maine worth
organizing?
Q. Shall We investigated
8. Shall We educate?
4. Shall We begin now?