The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-01-18
IMPROVEMENT IN
SHEEP INDUSTRY
Gradual and Logical Movement
in Industry toward More
and Better Flocks.
INCREASE MUTTON and WOOL
Farmers Are Beginning to Realize
That Dual Purpose Animals Fit
Admirably Into System OF
~ Mixed Farming.

: There has been 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 flocks in most
of the range states are declining, there
IA 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 a
whole, the sheep industry is on the IN
crease. In 1917 there was q net IN
crease Of 2 per cent in the United
States over 1915, according to reports
of the bureau Of crop estimates OF the
United States department of agricui-
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 the sheep Industry mas
gathered impetus is shown by the rec
ord of wool production, estimates TOT
1918 showing 1921 900 pounds. as
against 24O, $4,000 pounds in 1917.
Reason for Farm Trend.
The increase in the farm states ana
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 te
the wool and mutton varieties, which
has been the principal factor In bring
ing about an increase. The decline II
the sheep industry on the Western
rnnge should not be interpreted Il
mean that the business In that section
IA going to entirely disappear, fol
there is every reason to believe tina
the range country will always con
tinue as an important sheep producin
center. Large areas In western
states will not economically ien'
themselves to any other grazing pur
poses.
Sheep which yield both wool an
mutton are well adapted to more 9
less intensive farming. Farmers a
beginning to realize that sheep Of tie
kind fit admirably into a SYSTEM
mixed farming, and with the meat p
wool markets becoming more stabil o
there Is little need to become G
cerned with the yearly market flu d
lions Of these two products. She e
farms should be assured largeE, g
rs they can successfully sharla Il
other stock in the economiGns v
profitable utilization of farnihI d
as well as being producers of - u
clothing material for which orr s.
no complete substitute. DoY us Il
wool production would not on,d r
Independent Of wool importsk nv b
about meet the needs for mi
poses and large part Of Il
for civilian uses. 4
Mistake to Rushf 4
One Of the chief draw daro,a
present time to more form,no q
ment Q! 'ne inuus'fy Pledge Of n
good flock management ;nto 49,.
ger in the tendency Il increased =
new line Of farming. where OF. +
prices have brought r. thoro e !,
perience is lacking. ping sheen. q
nothing difficult aboq that sheen
1t must De remehHa long-terfn
breeding is essentA sea son crop II
proposition and moi and should a
like wheat, corr well IN mind 5,
be entered into WI