No. 4.] 



SHEEP HUSBANDKY. 



115 



On the 15th of November I addressed circulars containing 

 a few interrogatories to various men in the State whose 

 names were given me as sheep raisers, to the number of 

 about a hundred. I have been much gratified at the full 

 replies made, of which I have received over sixty, for which 

 I beg to thank very heartily the senders. I intend if possible 

 to tabulate the results, and to have them presented to the 

 public at some future time. 



The great decline of our sheep and wool commenced 

 apparently about fifty years ago. In 1838 we had 384,614 

 sheep, of which 200,383 were Merinos, 46,985 were Saxonies, 

 and 137,246 other breeds. In 1888, fifty years later, we 

 had 51,539 sheep, of which 4,500 were Merinos, 1,000 were 

 Saxonies, and about 46,000 other breeds. In 1838 the total 

 value of sheep and wool was $1,116,608; in 1888 it was 

 $295,000. Thus it will be seen that in fifty years our sheep 

 have decreased in numbers over 333,000, and our wool 

 812,000 pounds. While our losses in aggregate numbers 

 have been very large, yet the gain in individual animals 

 shows our great improvement in breeding. 



In 1838 each sheep was valued at $1.50, and sheared two 

 and three-fourths pounds to the fleece. Fat lambs were 

 valued at $1.75 each. In 1888 each sheep was worth $5.00, 

 and sheared four and one-half pounds of wool, and lambs 

 were worth $5.00 each. So that men who own sheep now 

 hold a property worth more than ever before. 



The following table shows the diminution of the sheep 

 generally, and by breeds, which, with any adequate causes 

 to account for it, I have faithfully pondered over in a spirit 

 of unintelligent curiosity : — 



YEAKS. 



Saxonies. 



Other Breeds. 



1845, , 

 1855, , 

 1865, 

 1875, 

 1885, 



33,875 

 6,800 

 3,126 

 1,631 

 1,215 



165,428 



65,584 



55,428 



14,456 



5,307 



155,640 

 72,825 



110,888 

 42,686 

 48,618 



354,943 



145,215 



169,442 



58,773 



55,140 



