Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1918-12-19
IMPROVEMENT IN
SHEEP INDUSTRY
Gradual and Logical Movement
in Industry Toward More
and Better FIoCks.
INCREASE MUTTON AND WOOL
Farmers Are Beginning to Realize
That Dual Purpose Animals Fit
Admirably Into System of
Mixed Farming.

There has been a gradual and logical
movement in the sheep industry to-
ward more and better flocks on the
farms of the Central and Eastern
states. That the farm states are des-
tined to become the seat Of the great
sheep industry and the farm flock a
more important part in permanent
agriculture, is the opinion Of special
lists of the United States department
of agriculture who have been in close
touch with the situation. While the
number and size of the fiOcks in most
Of the range states are declining, there
is a distinct trend toward the produc-
ton of more wool and mutton in the
states where more intensive farming
is practiced, they say.
Taking the entire country as
whole, the sheep industry is on the in
crease. In 1917 there was a net in
crease of 2 per cent in the United
States over 1916, according to reports
of the bureau of crop estimates of the
United States department of agricul-
ture, while the July 1, 1918, estimates
show a 1877 per cent increase over the
same date of the previous year. Fur
Their proof that tn sheep industry has
gathered impetus is shown by the rec
ord of wool production, estimates for
1918 showing 257921 900 pounds, as
against 240,573,000 pounds in 1917.
Reason for Farm Trend.
The increase in the farm states and
the decrease in the range territory is
due partly to the fact that range lands
have increased in value and the con
tinued hOmesteading has broken up
the areas which were once in free
range. In the farm states also, the
wool type of sheep has given way to
the wool and mutton varieties, which
has been the principal factor in bring
ing about an increase. The decline in
the sheep industry on the Western
range should not be interpreted to
mean that the business in that section
is going to entirely disappear, for
there is every reason to believe that
the range country will always con-
tinue as an important sheep-producing
center. Large areas IN Western
states will not economically lend
themselves 10 any other grazing pur-
poses.
Sheep which yield both wool and
mutton are well adapted to more or
less intensive farming. Farmers are
beginning to realize that sheep Of this
kind fit admirably into Il s.sstem of
mixed farming, and with the meat and
wool markets becoming more stabilized
there is little need to become con-
cerned with the yearly market fluctua-
tons Of these two products. Sheep on
farms should be assured q larger place
as they can successfully share with
other stock in the economical and
profitable utilization of farm crops
as we'll as being producers Of valuable
clothing material for which there IL
no complete substitute. Doubling our
wool production would not render US
independent Of wool imports but would
about meet the needs for military pur-
poses and large part of that needed
for civilian uses.
Mistake to Rush In.
One Of the chief drawbacks at the
present time to a more rapid develop
ment of the industry in the farming
states is the lack Of knowledge of
good flock management. There is dan
ger in the tendency to rush into this
new line of farming, which increased
prices have brought about, where eX-
perience is lacking. While there is
nothing difficult about managing sheep,
it must be remembered that sheep
breeding is essentially a long-term
proposition and not a one-season crop
like wheat, corn or oats; and should
be entered into with this we'll in mind