The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-12-14

raised In the tri-state district being
shown at all over the world, and that
II had always brought home the blue
ribbons.
Mr.. Mckee said that Washington and
Green counties in Pennsylvania. Ohio.
Brooke and Marshall counties in West
Virginia and Belmont. Guernsey and
Harrison counties in Ohio. were at one
time the center OF the wool industry in
this country. and that 1t was in those
counties that all the high grade wool
In the United States was raised.
Industry Coming Back.
The decadence Of the Industry in this
section was due TO the cheap lands and
cheap labor IN the western states. which
gradually took over the greater share
of the business. In those days the
speaker said that It was not considered
unusual for a stock raiser to pay AS
high as $500 for ram and proportion
ate amounts for young stock % class.
In tho west the day Of cheap land ls
past and the wool industry il gradually
coming back TO the counties from which
1t drifted. More wool is being pro-
duced each year and it Is mcrino wool
the finest in the world. Washington
county at one time had over $1,000 sheep
grazing on the hill sides. but the flocks
dwindlcd to almost nothing. and then
they began to make their appearance /
few years ago. until today ti.ey number
$4,000 and are making rapid increases
each year.
Mr. Mckee said that the land in the
country previously mentioned is part!c.
! ularly adapted for tho raising Of sheep
because the steep hillside cannot be
tarmed. but make fine grazing land.
He said that tho farmers cannot be
blamed for not helping along the war
with great crops Of wt.cnt and corn.
but that they can and Will help by In
creaslng their tlocEs OF sheep. and other
, live stock. BY the production oc wool
Mr. Mckee said that he thought the
farmer would be doing a great work. for
20 per cent Of tho labor on the farms
is composed Of women and the city'S
, appreciate the difficulties that confront
him.
]. A Yocke's Addre7s
J. A. Yoke of the agricultural rX-
| tension department Of West Virginia
! University was next introduced and re-
forred especially to the wool industry in
West Virginia He said that sheep are
rapidly increasing In number In this
state. especially during tn" past year.
Mr.. Yoke told the effect vi the dog
law as protection to sheep and hrw
much moro il could accomplish by SOM.
| judicious amendment. lFn told how tho
/ efforts Of the state wcr" l"'imp 'u:ldc 10
! make the trt-state radius ~. hest sheep
! producers Of the union. IT,, ,.,npha sized
! the importance Of both thu farmers: .Ind
the business men getting together that
each day understood tho "ih.rS' view
point.
Purple Cross Associa Ion
c. Fl. Watkins gaze. = hii + ,u,!r,!,. 81
the organization Of the l'urpr t'rnSS
association. its objects and it's necessity.
! This organization dnrS iur the hero
dead what the Red Cross docs for tho.
sick and wounded. 1T is n S,lr SUSTAIN
! ing organization and by its activities
II Is possible to hiring hH"i; home from
tho French battle fields. the hrrucS who
gave up their lives. and IN such II state
OF preservation that they can 'Ir' easily,
recognized by thu members al their
! families and buried in Tia. family plot
Tho association has the Snnrri,n: # the
officials and hlll il m"w 'rf, r. con-
GEcs& giving II official recognition and
MIR. Watkins T&k.d that ih'' public urr"r
cunsrc$>n.'n Ia give II iir'ir support
Mr. ilrirh IT Tn" lr;uI" :,ild cum
in"rrr ''Inuitt",. uI the HS...".intluu re-
ported on thu Cooperation OF the