The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1913-12-04
NEW KIND OF
SHEEP COMING
l,isOlS. HANSON SECURES SIX or
SIBERIAN FAT-TAILED NAIsi-
ETY. TO Try OFT IN SOUTH
DAKOTA.

DAKOTA.
Brookings, S. D., A revolution in
the sheep industry OF the United stat
es Is promised.
Professor N. =. Hanson OF the
south Dakota college Of agriculture
and mechanical arts bore, on his re-
turn from Siberia a rev weeks ago,
nfsMght TO the United States for the
lirst time Kirghiz fat tailed sheep.
ihese sheep are wonderful ami
mus. Their average weight is much
"a excess of the average for the best
breeds grown in this country, they
Yield u very fine-flayored mutton
without the woody taste so objection
able 10 many, also ii generous though
somewhat coarse fleece, they thrive
and multiply in regions OF extreme
heat and cola-from so below zero In
winter to log above in summer
with a minimum Of care save protec-
ton from wolves. they are the best
OF foragers, and in extremes Of win.
Ter cold can and do thrive on the
stored~uD fat OF their bustle-like tails
which the natives call gurduks. In
seasons OF great want in the sparse
regions north of Turkestan and west
u Mongolia they are the salvation
OF the natives.
Valuable in Northwest.
Professor Hanson believes that
these sheep will be of vast mid in
conqnering extensive areas OF the
west that are nov by many consider
Cd impossible. So great was his faith
n them, at least, that at no end oil
hardship and trouble be obtained two
rams and four ewes and brought
them with him thousands OF miles to
this country, SO that they might be
tried out. They will be placed in the
hands OF Professor James w. Wilson.
director OF the experiment station
here at ~Br0okings, for scientific breed
Ing, and The outcome will be watched
with the greatest of interest. They.
are now ! y quarantine in the east,
under the care OF government veterin
arians, but viii be released before
long to be shipped westward.
PROFESSOR Hanson first discovered
these sheep several years ago, ON one
OF his plantsexploration trips to ST.
neria. On his return lie called atten-
lion TO them AS desirable for impor-
thtlon. But nothing was done. Several
tunes afterward he laughingly re-
marked that he was going to bring
some OF them back In his vaiise ON
uhy While he WAS in Siberia this
iaAt summer, collecting alfalfa seed,
and other desirable things In plant
iltp, Tor the people OF his state, he
resolved that the time had come TO.
bring sOIne OF the fat-taiied sheep to
tho United States.
Long Journey from Asia.
l1N found what he wanted in the
country to The southwest OF Semipala-
tinsk, 100 miles from any means of
transportation save the wagons In use
IN the region. His six animals were
loaded Into Wagons, however. and
started on their 100-mile journey to
Seinipalatinsk. There a permit TO ex-
port them had to be obtained from
the Russian government, Then the
sheep had to be put aboard d steam
or and carried by river route 500
miles to Omsit. They we're then load
ed on to a car, with the professors
other supplies, and started for Libau
by way or the northern route through
st. Petersburg. They were too prcc-
ioust to be trusted by themselves or in
49,. rSss ! 50 froles.
~, y .aansen I~eiiai'sed WIN stnem All
I, M, .ons Journcy ~ l'pau, ,9oo-
.iss
Lost in st. petcrsbutg.~
In st. Petersburg, however. the
professor had to leave his charges in
az ~ inahe 1urti'er arrangements
y. a,c soseinileht oiiiciais 20 get
a.a's, oul ., .nc country IN me
sou.ss - ms psehc ms car was
a ny. aaons inc Dele llnes arouha me
~ IVY. Mllsn ~ Ie.urlieo 70 tne
p .. =. Maicn ~ haa ielt ~, ~ could
MsS SsSli,nSs duu
He spent the most OF the night hunt
ms us LOST slieep and other things,
lowar morning, however he located
mem, 4 peIofe long q everything
saieiy az 1ne seapourd. ihe rest OF the
journey WAS comparatively easy.