1134 New York State Breedees' Association 



While each of the live stock classes has its fancier, nearly every 

 farm has more than one line. Sheep were once found on practi- 

 cally every farm. Tastes, fancies, fashions and inclinations have 

 changed ; and most unfortunately, the flocks have suffered the 

 most, — excepting, possibly, the owners who have lost heavily. 



The demand has far outstripped the supply, so that finished 

 lamb is now a luxury, with prices the highest recorded in Janu- 

 arv. For those fortunate few, who have bravelv stuck to their 

 flocks, the comforting thought is, that the present high values are 

 but an indication of what is in store for years and years to come. 

 Flocks have been sacrificed thoughtlessly; as a result of which a 

 shortage stares the country from one end to the other. 



In our rigorous climate, comfortable clothing for day and 

 night we must have, while the demand for finished lamb of good 

 quality is increasing in somewhat similar ratio to the decrease of 

 production. While mutton has been, and always will be in some 

 demand, it is a line of trade which it not likely to increase, as is 

 the call for lamb. 



Usually, a yearling sheep will bring less in the market per 

 head, than the well-bred and properly grown lamb is worth. 

 With such a condition — one of the comparatively new ones — is 

 it wise for us to carry over our lambs into the second year with 

 no increase of value, and the fleece, only as an offset to the cost 

 of a twelve months ' keep ? 



We find conditions and prices to differ but slightly, when we 

 compare the production of finished lambs in Ontario and l^ew 

 York State. Our Department of Agriculture undertook to secure 

 definite information regarding the business. A year ago, for the 

 first time in Canada's history, we were able to get official figures 

 regarding the cost and returns from small flocks of grade ewes 

 at widely separated points in Ontario, where nine illustration 

 flocks have been under test by the Ontario Department of Agri- 

 culture. The nine flocks ' cost for maintenance during the year 

 was $798.14. The total receipts, consisting of wool and finished 

 market lambs, amounted to $1,107.53, furnishing a balance of 

 profit of $309.39, or 46 per ceut. of cost as the share of profit. 

 The profit on capital invested was 40 per cent. The best doing- 

 flock gave on investment 71 per cent. ; the lowest in profit flock 



