WOOL GKOWEKS' ASS(K lATIO.N. 289 



in slieep. Wlu'ii horse markets l)eciune dull, breeders conkl not get rid 

 of their mares ([uielvly enough and horses were even fed to hogs in certain 

 Western States. Farmers could not wait for the inevitable retur^l of 

 horses to a protitalile position in the live stodc industry. They are now 

 hurrying bM(k into the fold, and the man wlio stuciv to the business 

 through rain and sliine has been reaping a well-earned reward. Tlie same 

 holds good with the sheep, the man who stays with the business through 

 thick and tiiiii is tlie man that wins." 



George W. Ilarshbarger, Ladoga, Indiana, read the following paper: 



DOES IT PAY BEST TO RAISE GRADES OR rrUE-BRED SHEEl*? 



From my own experience in handling grades for ti number of years, 

 and observing what my neighbors have done witli pure-bred sheep, I am 

 convinced that it is much more prolitable to raise the pnre-l)red sheep. 

 Tlu' outlay of money is greater wlien starting in pure-bred stock. One 

 good pure-bred ewe will cost as much as 10 or lo common grades. But 

 after the flock is establishe<l the pure-lireds will not riMiuire any more feed 

 than a grade, but it may be a greater variety and a more expensive fi-ed. 

 The greatest item in raising grades is that tliey do not re(iuire so mudi 

 care and attention as do the pure-breeds, and a greater numlier can be 

 handled at a given expense. Pure-breeds are raised only for breeding 

 purposes, and tlie sheplierd who is the most attentive and skillful in 

 caring for them and showing, is ilie most successful. In raising grade 

 sheep there is no expense except feed and feeding, and in selling we very 

 seldom realize more than !f(! to .%S per head for ewes, and if we can dispose 

 of the rams at from .$8 to .$12 per head we feel that we have made a very 

 good sale. 



On the other hand our neighbors with the pure-breeds dispo.se of their 

 suritlus at from $ir> on up to several hundred dollars for one animal. I 

 have owned several i)ure-bred rams and two pure-bred ( wes. but the ewes 

 were bought by order and were not satisfactory; they were not go;)d 

 individuals, and when put in a flock of good grade sheep, they were a dis- 

 grace to the ri(»ck. At present I am thinking of securing some pure-bred 

 stock, but I want them to be as good in make-up and size as grades, and 

 they slKuild be better. In other words, I do not w;iiit all pedigree and 

 not mucli sli('e[i. I don't believe we can atford to raise pure-breeds for 

 wonl and mutton only, for grades are very near on an equal with i)ure- 

 lirt'Cils on these lines. Xom* of the pure-breeds in our neighborhood, and 

 of same lirc(<i. li:ive outwcigbed us in fleece, and tlie greatest gains in 

 pounds I have ever noticed were in grades. The cha minion wether at the 

 International Exposition was a grade, and I had the plcastire of seeing 

 liim in iiis stall at home at Wisconsin riiiversity. Tlie expense in record- 

 ing, et<-.. of pme-bred slieep does not amount t<> much, compared to the 

 difference at selling time of tlic grades and innc-breds. 



