The Brinkley argus., 1916-06-16
GROWING ANIMALS ON THE
 FARM

TAnm
 No. z. Sheep and Goat Raising. By H. k. Dvorachek, Professor of Ami
 maj Husbandry, University
 of Arkansas
 A recent report from the Bureau of Animal Industry of the U. s. De- partment of Agriculture shows that the sheep industry has been on the decline during the last few years. The prices paid for mutton lambs on the markets during the last two years would indicate that such must be the case. Fat lambs have been selling around 12 cents per pound this year, and the demand seems to be greater than the supply. Wool also shows an increase over prices of, say, two years ago. We also find that goats shipped from the Southwest to Kansas City have found ready sale as mutton at fair prices where they reached the market in good condition. It would seem that an increase in production of both sheep and goats might we'll come from the South and the South west.
 The sheep is serving it's best purpose as sort of scavenger on the farm, keeping down weeds in pastures and on the farm in general It is not uncommon to see we'll established pas lures put under cultivation here in Ar Lop fCr noxious weeds had become so well established that the more desirable grasses were crowded out A few sheep would have saved such pasture and made mutton and wool in doing so. The goat, on the other hand, is at it's best among the brush and briars with which our Ozark hills are abundantly covered. Whether one wishes to put such land under cultiva- tion or into permanent pasture, the first problem Is the removal of the underbrush.
 While the sheep is generally con. sidered as a scavanger it is not best to treat 1t as such and make 1t depend upon what 1t can find in the way of weeds for a living
 A few sheep will serve the triple purpose of keeping the farm clean of weeds, furnish mutton, which Is one of the best sources os meat supply for summer use, and produces fleece which at present prices should show neat sum as a clear profit. The mutton value of the sheep would easily cover cost of production. Fall lambs for the Christmas trade are possible in this climate and their production would add to profits.
 The goat, especially the Angora, Is essentially browser, although after being used for time on brush it has been found that they gradually take to grass and neglect sprouts. Where it is the desire to brush the land goats should be used instead of sheep. Goats which have not been used too long for such purposes should be se- lected as they have proven more de- structive to the underbrush than old brushes especially if there is any grass growing on the land. One year of brushing with goats is not suff1- cient to clear the land completely as new sprouts will shoot up from the root. Two and even three years are necessary to kill brush completely. As a producer of meat the goat is increas- ing In popularity Large numbers of goats have been killed and sold for mutton in the past. The number is increasing and it is found that the quality of the meat is not inferior to mutton. In fact the claim is made that it Is superior to mutton, especial ly when the goats are young and fat tened on the sprouts A game flavor is present which has lead to the use of the term "venison" to distinguish 1t from mutton. The fleece from the Angora has always commanded a higher price per pound than wool This mohair, as 1t is called. when of good quality sells at several times the price paid for wool. It is true, how. ever, that the weight of average fleeces is less than that of wool fieeces. As a producer of meat and moha.r, and ss valuable help in brushing land, the Angora goat should proye/a profitable animal in large part Of Arkansas.
 The -grfatest drawback to the sheep and goat saising seems to be the sheep-killIpe dog. Not that so many are actualfSI killed, but because the fear of losses keeps many prospective breeders from going into the business, States where ySindustries have pros pered have eh6cted dog laws which made the owner of the dog liable. or at least made il possible to put such dogs out of the wi. Such a law has tendency to stiRINfate interest ,n the venture as fear hf losses is part ly overcome, and loss can actually be reduced.
 It Is the opinion of some that dis eases common to sheep and goats would be more prevalent should the industry be developed because of eli matics conditions. The industry has not developed extensively enough to show that such would or would not bs shs case.
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