The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-05-31
The PEOPLES FORUM.
sSheep, War, And The Farmer.

Some time ago a movement was
started in this county to organize
sheep Growers Association. Our neigh
boring county, Aliegary county, has
had Sheep Growers Association for
some time which has proved very sue
cessful. This association is interested
In Garrett county having similar as
soclation. Last week Garrett county
was visited by DR.. S. s. Buckley and
Prof. F. B. Bomberger from the Mary
land Extension Service, and Mr.. E. l..
Shaw from the Bureau of Animal In
dustry, in the interest of the sheep
growers. The meetings were held &C
cording to the program published, and
considering the lateness of the season,
and the fine weather, there were coed
turn outs. These men were very favor
ably impressed with our county.
MIR. Shaw, who has Travelled in every
State in the Union and made a special
study of the sheep question, said very
emDhatically that Garrett county was
more suitable for the economic produc-
ton of sheep than any other section to-
day. Mr.. Shaw brought cut the point
that it is necessary in the economical
production Of sheep to use good stock
and give it good care Wool is higher
now than it has ever been before, and
in all probability it will 60 still higher.
1t was pointed out that 1t REQUIRES a
good sheep to supply enough wool for
single soldiers uniform. and that it will
take about half of al wool produced in
this country today to supply the uni
forms necessary for our soldiers. Mr..
Shaw says that it will be impossible tor
US to raise enough sheep for several
years to supply the demand, and con-
sequently prices will remain high for
both wool and lamb or mutton.
The method advocated for increasing
the sheep is for more farmers to raise
small flocks. Start with a small flock
and gradually work it up to the maxi
mum number that you will he able to
keep. Increase the size Of focks by
saving the ewelambs. Headyourf ocks by
purebred buck, and give it coed care.
Blood ls half and care is the other half.
Both are necessary for the best results,
and it pays well to use both. If a man
wishes to get into the pure breed bust
ness he had better start with only few
ewes and grow his flock. This method
is good and has proved successful here
in Garrett county. We have one man
in particular who started several years
ago with few pure-breds. His pure
bred flock now number p. This spring
the flock clipped on an average some
thing over lbs. Several ewes clipped
nearly 10 lbs. and the ram clipped near
ly IA lbs. The great trouble with the
sheep industry in this county is the over
supply of dogs.!- Legislation of kind
has been tried, but has not proved sue
cussful. However, are we going to
give up for,,, that reason? There are
some good dog lawsIln the country that
are proving successful. Among these
may be mentioned the law of Allegany
county. Before this law went into eff
fest there were in Allegany county
5000 dogs and only 500 sheep. In one
years time this law has caused the rid
dance of the county OF 8, 000uInecessary
dogs, and the sheep business is picking
up. Similar Legislation will be neces-
sary before we can take full advantage
of the opportunity that nature has
given US in this county. 1t is not only
necessary that we have legislation, but
that the people take personal interest
in this legislation and after tits secured
take enough interest to help enforce it
PROPERLY Soldiers will be badly in
need ofIuniforms and every farmer that
grows an extra sheep this year will be
furnishing another uniform. 1t was
pointed out bYiMr. Shaw that we have
in the United States notless than 20mil-
lion dogs. A large number of these dogs
could be done away with, especially at
this time when we have such a short
age of food. Every piece of meat,
every sheep or chicken killed, all dam
age done by dogs means that many
pounds of food less sfor tsome hungry
mouth. There is no doubt, says Mr.,
Shaw, that many.people Will be pray
ing for their daily bread and the bread
will not be availables before this time
next year.
DR.. Buckley gave a brief talk upon
hye stock in general. He pointed out
and emphasized the fact that at this
time especially should our live stock be
given the best of attention. They
should be well taken care of and every
thing done to prevent losses where ever
possible; prevent disease, and give
proper attention to feeding. DR.. Buck
ley stated that Garrett county was I'M
uuestionably, the first county in the