



598 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



as the Merinos readied, would give an annual and increasing income of 

 millions of dollars to the State. 



There arose from the disaster to the fine- wool industry a compensa- 

 tion in greater attention to the mutton sheep. The introduction of long 

 wooled fabrics in all classes of woolen garments created a demand foi 

 these wools, and there were some shrewd farmers in Illinois who sa^ 

 far enough ahead to form a conclusion that the animal which could 

 meet this demand and at the same time furnish mutton was to be the 

 coming sheep for the fanner. Consequently, these sheep increased 

 rapidly when the Merino was on its decline, and bade fair to supplanl 

 it and to assume that prominence to which it was justly entitled in the 

 farming industry of a State famed for its fine grasses. Few farmers 

 were found in the State who could afford to do without sheep, and bul 

 a lew who had not grasses to feed them. In handling them no more 

 care was required than that which was due to all other stock. The 

 return in wool and lambs was comparatively steady and fairly remu- 

 nerative. In 1856 the number of fat sheep marketed in the State was 

 157,286, with a total gross weight of 14,155,740 pounds, valued al 

 $495,450. In 1865, the number marketed was 433,194, weighing 

 38,987,400 pounds, valued at $3,202,788. 



The census of 1870 gave Illinois 1,568,286 sheep, yielding 5,739,24 

 pounds of wool, an average of 3.66 pounds per head. The tariff ol 

 1867 gave some protection to wool and caused a slight increase in fine 

 wool-growing. The common flocks of the State and some of the lowei 

 grade Merinos were crossed with Vermont and New York rams, wool 

 advanced in price, and the Merino Avas again in favor. In 1872 J. R 

 Morrison, of Bates, sheared a small flock of 10 sheep of 13 1^ pounds oJ 

 wool, an average of 13/ 6 pounds a head. The lightest fleece was 

 pounds and the heaviest 24J pounds. 



A celebrated flock of 1872 was that known as the Ballinger flock, 

 Fifty -nine head of this flock (7 rams, 33 old ewes, and 19 yearlings] 

 sheared 707^ 6 - pounds, just 9 ounces short of making an average of 1$ 

 pounds each. At the head of this flock was the ram " Prince Ballin 

 ger," whose fleeces at 3, 4, and 5 years old weighed 7 If pounds, one 01 

 them 25^ pounds. The weight of 14 ewe fleeces is given : 



Lbs. Oz. 



Four years of age 13 11 



Five years of age 16 8 



Three years of age 14 5 



Six years of age . . - 4 12 9 



Four years of age 16 15 



Do 15 3i 



Seven years of age 11 6 



Four years of age 11 9 



One year of age 12 9 



Do 11 11 



Do 8 8 



Six years of age 16 1 



Five years of age 14- 9 



Seven years of age 13 11 



