20 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



worth of stock in one year, the effect on the stock-raising industry 

 of the elimination of this number of destroyers is apparent. A con- 

 tinuance of the campaign should eliminate a large part of the losses 

 from this source and also should check the spread of rabies among 

 wild animals. 



THE SHEEP INDUSTRY. 



Normally the United States imports from about two-fifths to more 

 than one-half of the wool required for domestic consumption. Dur- 

 ing the past three years importations have ranged from nearly 250 

 million to more than 500 million pounds each year, the average being 

 over 300 million pounds. The total consumption of lamb and mutton 

 during the past 10 years has increased appreciably. In the fiscal year 

 1907 more than 9^ million sheep and lambs were slaughtered at 

 plants subject to Federal inspection. The number now averages 

 about 13 million per annum. 



In some sections of the United States there has been a steady 

 decline in sheep production since the earliest statistical reports. 

 This has been true also in every other settled country except Great 

 Britain. The explanation undoubtedly is an economic one. In 

 general, the primary purpose of sheep growers has been to pro- 

 duce wool. This can not be attained profitably on high-priced 

 land. Naturally, therefore, with the increase in land values there 

 is a rapid decline in the number of sheep. In Great Britain meat 

 has been the principal product and wool the by-product, and the 

 sheep industry has flourished. 



Waste land made productive. — If American farmers will follow 

 the British custom the industry can be put on a profitable and 

 permanent basis. The greater number of sheep in Great Britain 

 are raised in the hills and on land comparable to much of the " waste 

 land " of American farms. The areas in this country, especially 

 in the East and in parts of the South, now relatively little used, 

 can profitably be devoted to sheep production if the farmers will 

 secure the proper breed of sheep. 



Sheep also can be made profitable on higher-priced land, as British 

 experience shows. They compare favorably with other animals in 

 economy of production. They require a minimum of expensive con- 

 centrated feeds. They exceed the other larger animals in the rate 

 of maturity; lambs can be made ready for market at from four to 



