386 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



consequent decrease in the supply of fine wool on the markets. Should 

 these surmises prove to be a fact it will undoubtedly mean that there is 

 in store a period of prosperity for the fine wool grower of the State, and 

 that the year 1899 will mark the beginning of better times for the fine 

 wools. 



The wool market for the year 1899 has not been as generally satis- 

 factory as manj^ would have desired. Apparently prices have not ruled 

 as high as a year ago. Last year many farmers who received twenty 

 cents per pound for unwashed wool have been compelled to take eighteen 

 cents this season for practically the same grade and quality. Approx- 

 imately prices for other grades have ruled accordingly. The causes as- 

 signed are various, and the unsettled state of public opinion is too marked 

 to ascribe definite causes. Among reasons that are generally given, each 

 having a more or less weight, perhaps, are the following: Sheep hus- 

 bandry not sufficiently recovered from recent business depression; un- 

 satisfactory wool legislation in national politics; too much wool rushed 

 into the country under Wilson law before the Dingley act went into 

 effect; combinations of money power exerting an influence, and over pro- 

 duction. 



Competent authorities urge that Michigan sheep growers are making 

 a serious mistake this year, as they have formerly, in not giving more 

 attention to selection of breeding stock. Too many breed indiscrimi- 

 nately, and do not give proper attention to retaining rams of the same 

 general type and breeding; many change the breeding of their flock by an 

 occasional introduction of rams of different breeds. The result is little 

 uniformity in texture of wool, even from the same flock. Also, localities 

 err in not breeding a uniform quality and type. T}ie direct result is 

 mixed grades and lower prices. 



This year has seen less sheep washing than formerly. Slowly but 

 surely the custom of washing sheep before shearing is passing into dis- 

 repute among farmers generally. This seems to be pronounced among 

 the class who are interested in grading their flocks by introducing pure 

 bred rams, particularly. 



Sheep feeding, and particularly fatting western-bred lambs, has not 

 been so successful generally this year as in seasons past. Two reasons 

 can be assigned for this. In the first place, they cost too much after 

 being delivered here, so that in many cases, and especially where they 

 were sold before the middle of March, the margin between the buying and 

 selling prices was too slight for great profit, and in some cases actual 

 losses. Again, grain has been constantly coming up in value, so that the 

 feeder was compelled to feed a ration that was constantly increasing in 

 worth to stock that was practically at a stand-still. In fact, it looked for 

 a time as though the feeder would be obliged to sell at but a slight 

 increase of the purchasing price, which in many instances would have 

 been at a serious loss. 



Fortunately for many there was a decided improvement in the market 

 about the middle of March, which enabled those who were able to profit- 

 ably hold their stock until that time to come out at least clear, and in 

 the majority of cases at an actual profit. Before the change in market 

 values came it was reported that many who had invested heavily de- 

 pending on good markets would lose very considerably, and in all proba- 

 bilitv even as circumstances were manv did not realize a fair margin on 

 the investment. 



