134 TRANSACTIONS OF TIJE 



SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN CALIFORNIA. 



BY JAMES E. PERKINS, 



SECRETARY CALIFORNIA WOOL GROWERS' ASSOCIATION. 



FOR WHICH THE FIRST PREMIUM WAS PAID. 



Among the many industrial pursuits that have attracted the capital 

 and occupied the attention of agriculturists in this State, none have 

 shown a more rapid expansion, or held a better prospective position than 

 that of sheep raising and wool growing. Already its results figure 

 largely in the list of our export values, and it bids fair to become at no 

 very distant day a leading source of our agricultural wealth. 



Of all the animals given by a wise and provident. Creator for the use 

 and service of mankind, perhaps no other has contributed so largely to 

 his comfort and to his wealth as the sheep. Certainly none figure more 

 prominently in history as constantly accompanying the human race in 

 its successive migrations. This prominence might justly be accorded to 

 it from the readiness with which it is domesticated, its rapid increase, 

 and the suppty afforded by it both to satisfy the cravings of hunger and 

 to furnish needed raiment. 



The object of this paper is to call attention to the progress of wool 

 growing on this coast, to point out some of the inducements for expand- 

 ing the business, and the chief disadvantages which must be overcome 

 before our wool product can command a first class position in the great 

 markets of the world. 



With the origin of the various breeds of sheep of the pi-esent day we 

 do not propose to spend anytime, as such researches, however interesting 

 to the curious in such matters, will have but an incidental bearing on our 

 subject. 



The writer also desires to state, in the beginning, that his views are 

 submitted as the result of his own observation, and with the hope of 

 promoting those inquiries and that comparison of views by which alone 

 the experience of each may be made to subserve the interest of all. 



In passing to the special subject of this paper it may be well to look 

 for a moment at the value of the sheep as a food providing animal. 



