The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-10-27
DIR. f. I. BAKER
TELLS ABOUT SHEEP
WELL KNOWN VETERINARY OF
MOSCOW WRITES INTEREST
INGLY OF THIS ANIMAL

DR.. E. t. Baker, of Moscow, well
known veterinarian, has written one
of the most interesting and inform
ative articles recently published
about sheep and wool. The article
was written for the Idaho Farmer,
published at Spokane. 1t contains
about as much information as could
be crowded into the same space under
any circumstances. A portion of the
article is herewith republished, for
it will be of interest to every one
who cares to know more about one
of the most useful animals known to
man. DR.. Bakers article follows:
Where did sheep originate?
While the suposition is that sheep
originated from the wild types of
ancient sheep, as the mouflon, argali
and musimon, no exact knowledge
exists at present. We do net know
even how the word sheep originated,
but we do know that sheep are
among the oldest of domestic animals
and were raised for meat and wool
as long ago as history has any rec
ord. This was largely due to the
hilly and mountainous character of
the country mentioned in biblical
times.
When were sheep introduced into
Europe?
This is not exactly known, but it
is thought the first sheep were
brought to the city of Tarentum, in
Italy, by a band of Grecians in the
early time when farmers and stock
raisers moved hurriedly from one
country to another to avoid paying
taxes or playing the principal part
in scrapping with wild lion. on
Roman holiday.
What two countries have done most
for the advancement of the sheep in
dustry?
Spain and England.
Why did not the wool industry ex-
pand into other countries?
From the eighth to the thirteenth
centuries the .Saracens controlled
Spain. Under their regime the wool
industry in that country reached it's
zenith. To keep this monopoly safe
in their hands they made it death
sheep out of the country. So alert
were the Spanish cops and deputy
sheriffs that for over 500 years no
sheep were smuggled out of her do
mains, although many efforts were
made to take some over into France
through the Pyhenees mountains. It.
was no uncommon sight to see Donna
Tamale open the morning paper and
read the headlines where her husband
had received fatal injuries while
journeying toward France with a
couple of precious Merinos. How
ever, in 1765 the elector of Saxony
made visit to the king of Spain, and
the latter, in order to show his guest
that he was mighty good fellow,
made a present of 800 Merinos to the
Saxon king. These were so carefully
bred that they became known as the
"Saxony Merions," and this is the
source from which Saxony yarn
gained it's name. In 1888 France se-
cured a number of Spanish Merinos
and brought them to a large farm
near Paris, called Rambouillet. Here
was developed the well-known RAM
bouillets, which are merely French
! What types did England produce
LUG " LHc IdtHeI uaIup Climate u
England and Scotland, the mutton
sheep thrived, while the fine-wool
types, such as the Merinos, did not.
The latter require high, dry loca-
tion, which is the reason why Wyom-
ing, Montana, Idaho and Utah, to-
gether with New Mexico and Arizona,
are such great wool producing states.
For this reason the Merinos should be
perfectly satisfied with the Montana
climate the last year. Another thing,
the English are great mutton eaters,
and endeavored to produce sheep Of
this variety. Robert Bakewell is vel
known among the early improvers Of
English live stock.
How many sheep are there in the
world?
In round numbers about o00,000,-
900.
When were sheep brought 70
America? W
Tho early colonists brough sheep
with them, but due to the lnd{A1s.
mammals, hard winters, lack
of fesd and many other obstacles the