WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 869 



Larnbs are now coming, showing wonderful results. There is no species of live-stock 

 industry so profitable, according to my experience, as that of sheep, the future of 

 which in Missouri I regard as promising. 



Jolin S. Crow, Paris, -Monroe County: 



Have been raising sheep ever since I began farming, nearly forty years ago, and 

 regard a small flock more profitable than any other stock. My sheep yield me from 

 $5 to $6 per head yearly. 



P. S. Alexander, Lone Jack, Jackson County : 



Sheep have paid me as well as, if not better, than any other stock. I only keep 

 from 80 to 100 head, as they do better in small flocks. As fertilizers, they have no 

 equal. 



O. C. Roby, Mexico, Audrain County : 



Was raised on a sheep farm in Ohio, and have been in the business all my life 

 forty-five years. Handled sheep in Kansas and Missouri. I now have 1,500 head. 

 If we only had a good dog- law Missouri would soon be the great sheep State of the 

 country. 



C. H. Canthorn, Laddonia, Audrain County : 



Have handled a few sheep all my life, and they have always paid better than any 

 other investment. I keep Cotswolds, and last season 200 ewes dropped 330 lambs 

 and raised 295. I never sell a young ewe unless it is one I do not like. I cull every 

 year, and sell whether I can get my price or not. A ram should not run with the 

 flock during the breeding season, but should be well cared for. With such treatment 

 he can serve 150 ewes as well as 50 while running with the flock. 



W. H. Gist, Bridgeton, St. Louis County: 



Have followed the business for thirty-five years, and think it one of the most 

 profitable and delightful departments of the farm. The products of the flock meet 

 two needs of the human family. There is a growing demand for mutton, and woolen 

 fabrics are indispensable. I believe that Missouri can not be surpassed in her adap- 

 tation to sheep-growing. 



Win. Johnson, Ben ton City, Audrain County: 



Have handled sheep for thirty years twenty years in Ohio and ten years in Mis- 

 souri. Have used mostly full-blood Merinos, and they ha ve been the principal source 

 of revenue in my farming. If people could be educated in sheep husbandry the in- 

 dustry would have a flattering future. 



J. D. Parks, Holden, Johnson County: 



Have followed the business for five years in Missouri, and have made about 50 per 

 cent on the investment. Also five years in Kansas, where I started in 1876 with 1,000 

 ewes, worth about $2,500. Sold out in 1881, after paying all expenses, for $14,000. 

 Think sheep husbandry, properly handled, in Missouri will soon pay 50 per cent profit. 



William Eiley, New Madrid, New Madrid County : 



I think if our legislature would enact laws that would annihilate the overplus of 

 worthless curs, it would greatly help the sheep industry in this State. 



H. Clay Jackson, Ulmon Ridge, Miller County: 



I have experienced some reverses from dogs and low prices of mutton during the 

 twenty-five years I have been in the business, but have stuck close to sheep and made 

 more money from them than from mules, cattle, or hogs. 



