The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-12-14
THE HAsKIN LETTER
Our Meat Supply Mutton.
By Frederic I ]. Haskin.


With the beef supply Of this coun-
try greatly diminished and all meat
exceedingly dear, It is very pertinent
to inquire to what extent the mutton
supply has been affected by the gen
eral causes that have brought about
the shortage In meat and how the
supply may be increased and main
tanned.
The number OF sheep in the
United States has decreased in the
last few years though not nearly so
rapidly as the number OF cattle. In
1910 there were 52,44S,00O sheep in
the country, and at the beginning OF
1914 there were only 49,719, 900.
II The principal cause of this de-
crease, and the factor which will al
ways govern the mutton supply OF
the country. Is the price OF wool.
The sheep is primarily a wool-bear-
ing animal, and while there are sew
eral methods Of increasing the num-
Der OF sheep In the country to be
considered. it must always be kept
in mind that the mutton supply will
vary with the price of wool. Thus
between the years 1905 and 1909.
the price for certain grade OF wool
varied between % and 80 cents a
pound; while in 1913, following a
gradual decrease, 1t varied between
I2O and "a cents. The decrease in the
number of sheep in the country be-
gan with a decline In the price OF
wool. The coincidence of this de-
cline with the shortage of beef cat
tie was an important factor in caus-
ing the present scarcity OF meat.
Not only is the sheep growing In
dustry dependent for its existence
upon the wool market. but 1t will
4 fluctuate more rapidly than any 9TH
branch of animal husbandry, and is
therefore the least reliable as a
source of meat supply. In the south
west, sheep raising is most spec
ranged in great flocks over the pub
lie lands and the national forests,
with one or two men in charge OF
each flock. The labor is compare
lively cheap. 1t is not necessary to
own or improve land, raise feed, or
exercise close personal supervision.
One may invest money in sheep
much as he would buy shares on the
stock market. II the price OF wool
rises, and the season Is favorable,
with plenty of grass and water upon
the range, he will realize a large
profit upon the investment; while II
the price Of wool declines, and the
year is dry. nothing can save him
from a heavy loss. This speculative
character will always render the
mutton supply uncertain.
Mutton has never occupied nearly
as important a supply upon the
American bill of fare as beef; but the
recent scarcity Of all meats. and the
high prices paid for them, has gone
a long way toward overcoming the
American prejudice against mutton.
Within the last few years the slaugh-
ter of sheep has increased enormous
ly. and has been another important
cause in the shortage of meat. In
1900, about 100000 sheep were
killed in the principal stockyards OF
the United States, while in 1909 this
number had been increased to over
10, 900, 900, and in 1913, to over
IL, 900. 900. When it is taken into
account that during this same period,
fewer sheep were being raised than
formerly, 1t is realized that the
slaughter was excessive. Many ami
mails that should have been kept for
breeding and for wool production
were sacrificed to take advantage OF
the fancy prices offered for meat.
Even this excessive killing. how
ever, has not brought the conspmp-
ton of mutton up to more than a
fraction OF that of beef. In 1903,
the people of this country consumed
more than seven billion pounds of
beef, but only about six hundred mil
lion pounds of lamb and mutton.
Thus it is seen that an enormous in
crease in the sheep raising industry
would be necessary before the nut
i ton supply could take the place OF
serious shortage of beef.
AS in the case of cattle, the mar
rowing of the western range lands
by the incursion of the dry farmer
factor. in the decrease in the mutton
( supply
The sheep industry has not been
es much affected as cattle raising,
because sheep range over land which
J Is utterly uuul IUT dHI1CuIluIep anu
would not support cattle at all. New
tertheless, the capacity of the western
sheep ranges, like those for cattle,
Ican be greatly increased by proper
management. as the forest service
has demonstrated by the administra-
ton of the grazing lands under its
control. In 1905. eighty-one acres
national forests were necessary for
the support of one animal, while in
1913, the average was f1fty-one acres
for each animal. In the latter year.
the lands upon the national forests
set aside for sheep and goats sup
ported 100000 animals, and it is
safe to say that If all Of the public
lands suitable for sheep grazing
were as well utilized as those upon
the national forests. their capacity
would be increased so per cent.
In improving the capacity of sheep
ranges. the use of different areas in
rotation, the definite separation of
cattle and sheep lands. and the i'm
provement of the water supply, are
Important means: but the introduce
tion and enforcement Of scientific
methods of handling sheep on the