648 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



growing industry of the State. There was a tendency and strong 

 temptation to greatly reduce, if not entirely abandon, sheep husbandry. 

 The low prices of wool, consequent on the general commercial depres- 

 sion and the reduction of the tariff, greatly reduced the profit of sheep- 

 raising, and many claimed to have realized no profits. Many flocks were 

 sold and many more were neglected and allowed to run down in condi- 

 tion. Flock masters tried to lessen expenses by short rations of grain 

 and hay, and failed to breed from first-class sires. The consequence was 

 in many cases a lower grade of sheep and a fleece diminished in quan- 

 tity and of inferior quality. Occasionally a flock-master pursued the 

 opposite course, and by generous and systematic feeding and good man- 

 agement secured good profits in increased yield of wool and in lambs 

 and mutton. It was in Wisconsin, as elsewhere, the slovenly and care- 

 less wool-grower was the chief sufferer in the low price of wool ; to the 

 careful and intelligent grower a full measure of success was assured, 

 such as to justify these remarks of the president of the Wisconsin Wool- 

 growers' Association in 1887 : 



A little careful investigation is pretty sure to lead to the conclusion that sheep 

 husbandry, intelligently and systematically conducted, making use of all that modern 

 experience has taught of the science of feeding, and of skill in breeding, all things 

 considered, will return in profits for capital employed and labor performed, as much 

 as most, if not any other branch of agricultural industry. 



There were many, however, who thought differently, and believing 

 that the days of profitable sheep husbandry were of the past aban- 

 doned the flocks for cows, hogs, and horses. Butter, cheese, and hogs 

 could be sold for cash at all times. From these they could obtain 

 quicker returns than they ever received from their wool clip. The 

 old system of sheep husbandry did not take any account of mutton; 

 in fact, no large amount of attention was ev r er paid to it. But when it 

 was found that wool-growing alone was not profitable, with land at $50 

 to $75 per acre and wool lower than 40 cents, suggestions of a change 

 were heeded. But parties were not numerous who were disposed to 

 change the Spanish Merinos for other breeds. The possibilities of the 

 Merino as a mutton sheep received much consideration, and i>romiiient 

 breeders leaned directly and decidedly to a plainer Merino than the 

 wrinkly Vermont one upon which most of their flocks were founded, a 

 Merino that would take on more fat inside his pelt than on it, and that 

 would produce a delaine wool which was always salable at a good 

 price. Speaking of breeding the Vermont wrinkly sheep, Seymour 

 Brook said, in 1884 : 



It is time to call a halt in that direction, and strive to produce a carcass that AVI 11 

 not shuck around in its skin loosely, but one that will fill out plump and smooth, 

 and have this fatty substance, which now goes into what is called a soggy fleece, 

 directed to building up a larger carcass. The time has passed when we can dispose 

 of the foreign properties in wool at a price exceeding its cost. 



Others counseled in the same direction, and endeavored to lead flock- 

 masters to see and believe that if they would do all they could to 



