The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1915-04-22
BEST SEASON FOR
SHEEPMEN PREDICTED
Wool Growers Expect Good Prices
Date for Wool Sales Set and
Buyers Will be in Heppner
on June 3.

A dispatch from Baker says that
the best season for sheepmen within
memory is expected in all parts Of
that section. Special investigation
in Baker and Grant counties and in
parts of Malheur county have
brought forth reports showing that
sheep are in splendid condition and
mutton and wool prices are good.
Practically no wool contracts have
been made, growers holding for
higher prices.
Growers say that the animals Win
tered in fine shape and are on the
range, which is in perfect condition,
earlier than in any previous season.
Lambing was particularly successful,
in some places the bands brought
more than 100 per cent of lambs, the
best crop ever realized in this dis
trict.
In the Burnt River section, 1t is re-
ported, there is fine class of wool
sheep, which, coming from the feed
yards to the splendid range so early
in the season, insures heavy crop of
wool and from to 10 cents more a
pound than ever received before.
Medical Springs, home of John G..
Hoke, secretary of the Oregon Wool
Growers Association, has unusual
prospects, a fine lambing season and
prospects for good prices.
North Powder, on the Union Coun-
ty line, reports that good No. lambs
and ewes are bringing $40, while
wool is 2S cents, with growers wait
ing for still higher prices.
Grant county reports that the wool
clip will be about 25 per cent better
than last year, with mutton higher
than in 1914. The Malheur forest
reserve has issued grazing permits
for 10000 head of sheep. Woolmen
are expecting not less than rs cents
and some sheep have sold for ST..
In circular issued this week John
G. Hoke, secretary of the Oregon
Woolgrowers, sets the following wool
sale dates for Oregon, 1915:
Echo-May 25.
Pilot Rock-May 20.
Pendleton-May 27.
Baker-May 2S.
Riverside-June l.
Joseph-June a.
Enterprise-June 5.
Heppner-June ..
Condon-June 10.
Shaniko--June 10.
Maupin-June II.
Metolius- -Madras-June Is.
Bend-June 16.
1t Is to be hoped that all wool
growers will use their best efforts to
at least put forth an effort to grade
their wool at the shearing pen. This
can be done to some extent by sep
arating the different kinds and grades
of sheep before they go to the shear
ers. 1t is essential to pack your wool
in good condition, eliminating the
tags and pack them separately. Also
keep all black woods from the white.
See that feeces are tied properly. We
are in competition with woods that
are prepared in the best of shape for
market, and if we expect to get true
market values it is up to the growers
of this country to do something along
the same lines or take less prices for
their wool.
am taking steps to stop the in
humane manner of handling sheep at
the shearing pens. We expect to
have the humane society of the state
to help enforce the laws, and we want
the full cooperation of woolgrowers
in this matter We raise sheep for
the money that is in them, and we do
not propose to stand by at the shear
ing pens and see them butchered as
heretofore. We will have posted in
all the shearing pens of this state
the laws covering the inhumane
treatment of dumb animals.
AT least per cent Of the sheep are
killed at the time they are being
sheared, or die from injuries receiv-
ed at that time. We trust that we
will not have to prosecute any one
engaged in shearing sheep for liv-
ing. When they depend on this work
every year it is up to them to stop
and consider the sheep mems inter-
ests.
Yours truly,
JNO. G.. HOKE.