The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-09-07

ravages Of dogs, both by law and by
public sentiment for the enforcement
of law"
Authorities have said that sheep pro-
duction must have its greatest de-
velopment in the central states dur
Ing the next few years. and that sheep
raising Is as profitable on 5000 per
acre land as IL Is profitable in Eng
land on $4,000 per acre land.
Michigan. Wisconsin and Minne-
sofa will join hands to rehabilitate
sheep husbandry in those three states,
which since 1900 have smaller sheep
flocks by over 2.040,O00 head, which
means a decrease in the national wool
clip of 15,OOd,0OO pounds" says the
American Sheep Breeder. "At present
prices this wool would fetch 100000
600, TO say nothing Of lambs for meat,
therefore the loss Of these 2,040,00o
sheep has cost Michigan, Wisconsin
and Minnesota a pretty penny
This nation faces an unprecedented
wool shortage and something besides
talk Is needed The range nockmas-
ter has received a mortal wound in
the homestead grazing law. which in
q few months has deprived him OF over
b0,000000 acres Of sheep pasture, II
IL predicted that more than twenty
Ave per cent Of all the sheep in live or
six OF the largest sheep states must
be slaughtered or moved elsewhere in
twelve months. Minnesota, Wisconsin
and Michigan propose to offer 30 000.-
900 or more acres to these unfortunate
western shepherds.
1T Will he a very easy matter to
furnish adequate territory for 10. 000,-
900 sheep IN the Gopher Badger
and Wolverine states AT least twenty
large lumber companies. owning vast
aoreages. have offered free grazing.
Others will put land against sheep
In permanent partnership arrange
ment Single concerns have from 25,-
1000 TO 200000 acres Of splendid grass
land that can support from one to four
sheep aud not half try. Quantities
OF hay are being shipped from these
sections. There is no better alfalfa
country anywhere.
prominent western men like Par
ham have tried out this country for
winter feeding and our stock markets
know the results. The government
believes in this country for sheep
raising,
The National Sheep and Wool Blu
reau will consolidate all the factors
in big movement, not only to help
reorganize the waning sheep indus
try OF the great lakes states. hut viii
aid in every way western ranchmen
and eastern investors who will locate
sheep ranches and feeding stations in
this section
At the conclusion OF conference
held at the quarters OF the Illinois
Council of Defense, w G. Bissell,
president Of the Wisconsin Advance
ment Association, Milwaukee, and Will
liam r Hartman, representing the
Michigan Agricultural Development
Association. announced that invita-
tions had been sent to $1,000 shep-
herds in tile western states, where
grave problems threaten the continu-
ance OF sheep grazing.
Roughly. there are available in
Michigan. 100000 acres Of lana
which now Is idle and which best cal
be brought into war time use by the
. grazing OF sheep" said Mr. Hartman
"Now is an opportune time TO make
this land useful to the nation in help
ing to solve the wool problems of the
next few years for the cut-over lands
OF our state have proved well adapted
! to sheep husbandry"
J Our state also" said Mr.. Bissell
! "has approximately 10.o00000 acres
i which should and now will be set L
j use in way to which they are vel
adapted furnishing grazing for III,
| thousands of sheep which settlers ant
r other causes are driving out of til,
I western states IT time when more
sheep and more wool are as pressing
e necessity as more food"
I The Illinois Council of Defense vii
furnish speakers at the ooisyention t
: present the patriotic duty of farmer
: to increase food production and WOO
e production.