Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-07
GOVERNOR M!LLIKEN
makes STRONG PLEA
Fur sheep RAISING

Portland, Me. Feb. 6.-The first
Maine Sheep show given for the pur
pose Of stimulating the raising of
sheep in this State opened at the Ex-
position building today. There are $50
exhibits, Of which 60 are from the farm
Of w. b. Kendall of Bowdoinham.
At q dinner given tonight by the
Chamber of Commerce to the exhibit
ors, Gov. Mlliiken, who was one of the
speakers, said that Maine ought to
have million sheep instead of loo. 900
as at present. A committee was APP
pointed to arrange TO make the show
permanent to promote the raising OF
sheep in Maine. DR.. Owen Smith Of
Portland is chairman.
Governor MilIiken said in part;
There are three indispensable ma
terlal needs of mankind; food, clothing
and shelter. The sheep raising in
dustry furnishes important items in
both the food and clothing lists and
therefore assumes a special impor-
lance in this period of crisis when all
material needs are aggravated by the
wastage of war.
No raw material has yet been dis
covered that will equal the wool of the
sheep as 4 basis for clothing in cold
climate. Soldiers in war times con-
sumo more food and wear out more
clothing than the same individuals
would do in time of peace. The long
continued strain Of warfare has pro-
duced condition which threatens the
world with wool famine and sheep
raising has become one of our impor-
tant patriotic duties.
In the course of an interview in
Washington last Saturday Secretary
Houston of the Department of Agricul-
ture told Inc that the figures compiled
but not yet published for 1917 show an
increase Of about two million head of
sheep in the United States. This is
the first time an increase over the pre-
v'ous year has been shown for more
than twenty years.
The figures in Maine, too, showed
slight Increase last year, though before
that time there had been a steady de-
crease from over $4,000 in 1870 down
to about 100000 the first Of January.
1917.
Instead of 100000, Maine ought to
have a million sheep. In fact. that
number would only be our fair pro-
portion of the present number of sheep
in the United States. Not only patri-
otism in he present war. but our re-
gard for the prosperity of agriculture
ought to lead us to encourage sheen
growing on a much more extensive
10
wool at IS cents and lambs bringing
about ten dollars apiece in the fall.
figuring eight pounds of wool to each
sheep and estimating that each sheep
will requi, e 500 pounds Of hay and
two dollars worth of grain during the
winter, it is easy to see that a flock
of one numbered sheep would produce
more revenue than the average clerk
or unskilled laborer in the city earns.
| am. therefore, glad of the oppor-
tunity tonight to express my interest
in the rapid development Of sheep
raising among our Maine farmers.
With this end in view, the State
ought to remove all unnecessary OBJ
stacles that tend to interfere with
sheep raising and ought to extend all
ance to farmers who are willing to
take it up.
The menace Of sheep killing dogs
has undoubtedly deferred many farm
ers from raising sheep in the past.
Legislation on this subject has been
one Of the great problems in every
State in the Union. where sheep are
raised. I believe the laws Of the State
of Maine are among the best in the
United States on this subject. 1t is
possible that they could be still fur
Their improved. II SO. | suggest your
careful consideration of any improve
ments and their presentation by YOUR
association to the next Legislature.
No one desires to do injustice to the
dog. but on the other hand, dogs must
not be allowed to interfere unreason-
ably with he development of the sheen
industry, particularly at time when
we are giving rightly so much atten-
ton to fool production and conserva-
ton. In other words, the limit ~
personal! liberty for the dog is the
same as for the individual-thc point