Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-11-15
THE SHEEP INDUSTRY,
Government Expert Meets Windham
County Farmers.
(Trom the Rutland Herald.)

Government Expert Meets Windham
County Farmers.
(From the Rutland Herald.)
vermont's fertile pasture lands will
be grazed some day by multitudes OF
sheep as they were rs years ago II plans
Of the United States department OF ag-
riculture do not miscarry. Tangible
evidence that beginning has already
been made in that direction is the pres
ence In Brattlcboro this week OF an ex-
pert sent by tho government to interest
every farmer in that vicinity who mas
Facilities for raising sheep to make
that part Of his regular business.
j, A. Sturtevant came to Vermont
Monday and since that time. In COM
pany with County Agent A. W. sweeton
mas visited those sections of Windham
county which are most active In the
wool growing Industry. In Whining
ton. Westminster West and Bellows
rails he met farmers interested in the
plan which the federal government has
IN MIND, made survey of surrounding
conditions and urJde them all to enter
into the Industry more extensively.
Mr.. Sturtevant is one of five experts
sent out by the government to the
sheep raising sections of the country
ana his territory includes New Hamp-
snire and Vermont. He has covered
New Hampshire and is now making a
tour OF this State. 1t is probable that
the government will keep a man in
tnis section three years or more. The
vermont agricultural extension service
Is cooperating to a certain extent.
VERMONT SHEEP in 1910.
Vermont reached its highest point in
sheep raising in 1910 when the census
reports showed about 100000 sheep
In this State. They were largely me-
rinos. Government estimates for the
last two years place the number at
100000 but the listers return show less
than half that number, of $4,000. In
Windham county there are less than
1000 but the number has begun to in
crease. The New Hampshire survey
shows about 10000. Several reasons
are forwarded for the decline in this
industry. one being the competition Of
great western areas and another that
the value Of mutton was not emphasized
as 1t Is to-day. Grazing areas Of the
west are becoming more and more re-
stricted and one Of the results is to en-.
nance the value of sheep and enlarge
the opportunity of eastern farmers.
This movement was begun before the
war broke out but the great conflict
In Europe has increased the demand
Tor meat, so there is now an opportun-
tty to perform a patriotic duty as we'll
as lay the foundation for a profitable
business.
SHROPSHIRES AND THE DOG MEN,
ACE.
Most OF the sheep raised in Vermont
are Of the Shropshire breed. The breed
Is run down at present owing to the
use OF rams that are not of the best
quality, but Mr.. Sturtevant thinks the
Shropshires are as good as any dual
purpose breed and 1t is for both mutton
and wool that Vermont farmers should
strive. Breeding stock is high and the
government is urging farmers to save
their best breeding stock and their
eve lambs so as to build up their flocks
without going to large expense. They
are asked to make sheep raising a part
Of their regular livestock farm work,
as sheep require less labor and grain
than dairy cows.
tevant says 1t Is more mythical than
actual. although he admits that it ex-
lists to a degree not to be laughed at,
Some damage is done by dogs, in the
daytime but most Of 1t Is done at night.
1t is not practical to build fences in
Vermont that would be dog proof, but
1t would be an easy matter for the ma.
jority Of sheep raisers to build corrals
near their barns that would be dog
proof and to get the sheep up ever
night when the cattle herds were driv-
en- in. Mr.. Sturtevant says that the
Vermont laws in general regarding
sheep are good but that they are faulty
with regard to damages.