Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-09-18


have originated from importations,
European countries since the begin
ming of the nineteenth century. The
fine woods are found upon the western
ranges and to a lesser extent through
the Ohio fine-wool region. They are
undergoing some changes to improve
the carcass and increase the length OF
wool: some foreign blood Is being /
used to do Ii; nevertheless these sec
lions may still be regarded as being
fine wool In character
In Tennessee, Virginia and Ken
lucky. the spring lamb region Of Amer
lea, Southdown rams are very popu.
lar. Through the central farming sec
tons OF the country the medium.wool
breeds nave taken possession, the long
woods largely being in locations more
favorable to them In the North and
Northwest. notably Canada. Utah,
Idaho, Montana and Oregon.
1t is not always possible to say that
there Ia one best breed for any sec
ton. There may be two OF three that
would do equally as well. but II IL
undeniable that some breeds are far
more suitable than others for a given
location. All the breeds have their
good qualities and most OF them, II
properly handled. will give good re-
suits in some section OF America. The
problem is to get the ones best adapt
ed to particular conditions. Some
breeds have a larger number OF high
class individuals than others. but q
truly successful breeder can improve
any OF them.
AS q rule. but one breed should be
selected. Where there is more than
one breed upon a farm II is a difficult
matter TO keep the gates all closed ut
the proper time and prevent crossing.
II several farms are available more
breeds can be handled. but the din
culties in management are much In
creased. The most successful sheep
breeders in America handle but one
breed. The fact that there are more
breeds than In any other class of farm
animals may In itself make the seiec.
tion OF one breed rather difficult.
Some OF the deciding factors should
be climatic conditions, feeds available.
altitude. the particular line Of the in.
dustry to be followed. and popularity
OF the breed In the section In which
the farmer Is located.
The effect of climate is striklngly
illustrated in the evolution Of the
sheep industry OF the extreme North
west. The willamette Valley In Ore.
- -. Fa.,zr.a To- tee Lone 4uaalq
was once partly occupied BY fine.
wool sheep. The large amount of rain.
fall. which comes in q long-continued
drizzle, caused the hay and weed
seeds that became lodged IN the wool
to grow and become green upon the
sleeps back. The Merino breeds were
decidedly out OF place there. After a
time the Lincoln and other long.wool
breeds were introduced and the In
dustry assumed q different aspect
Their long locks act a. 3 thatch, car.
rying the water OF, and these breeds
thrive as they do in few places G :
cept their native counties In England.
The kind OF feed produced Il OF i'm.
portance. The large breeds have been
veloped upon land that has produced
abundantly. They are capable Of tax.
ing care OF . larger amount Of feed.
such a. the moist fertile lowlands pro
duce, while the smaller breeds succeed
better upon the less abundant fafe 81
drier and less fertile pastures. There
Is evidently some connection between
the general high quality Of the smaller
, breeds and the scanty. more nntritioui
feeds that they receive under natura
conditions. II they are removed *
the lowlands they lose much Of theil
characteristic type and quality.
! The effect of altitude upon a breed
10 also apparent, but how much Of THU
effect Ii due TO the amounts and kind
/ OF feed it is difficult 70 determine. Ger
: tain Il Il that the mountain breed
are smaller. more active. hardy
and better able to care for themselve
than their lowland ~nelghbors.
Il The Importance OF hardness In IN.
d mountain breeds Was shown durinl
e the last century along the seottlsI
r border. The Cheviot had for a nun
IL Der of years been diaplacinR the bIacl
faced Highland breed because OF IL
finer quality Of wool and somewha
better carcass A number Of sever
Nlnters worked havoc among 81
nocks Of the former breed by cani
ing a very heavy lamb loss. and n
. Highland breed. because OF lts hard
u4ss. came back into It's own.
Whether the breeder expects to spi
claIize upon some particular line +
sheep farming should likewise be IL
ID stgumental Ia making = decislan
- winter lambs are TO be produced
breed must be secured that 9iif brsc
At the right season OF the year. an
he 20 al wifl do this. The Doraet. 81
ar rino npA FuHiE have gwen the Be-
" satisfaction thus far
~ The popularity Of q {. Ne4 win ofte
- have It's effect IN influencing one 3
elsion. Some breeds have been d
Il veloDed under conditions that al
Iv- more general. pr else they have
- vider range or a~daptablIity than Of
ara The popularity 81 several bFssl