VI PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. 



simply an example of the growth of an industry which is the 

 most profitable branch of agriculture when wisely and skillfully 

 cultivated. 



How wisely and skillfully this business has been conducted, 

 may be perceived, when we see, that while the increase in the 

 number of sheep in the decade from 1870 to 1880, was about 

 twenty-five per cent, the increase in the product of wool 

 amounted to no less than fifty -five per cent, indicating the very 

 great improvement which had been made in the productive 

 character of the various breeds of sheep. No doubt much of 

 this increased product has been due to the betterment of the 

 low grade sheep reared on the western plains, by the use of 

 pure bred Merino rams, by which the average weight of fleece 

 has been nearly doubled ; but a large portion of it has also been 

 due to the extensive use of pure bred sheep of the larger breeds, 

 specially known as the mutton breeds, whose culture has been 

 stimulated by the enlarged demand for mutton in the home 

 markets, and for shipping abroad. 



There can be no doubt that sheep culture, and the wool-pro- 

 ducing industry, will still continue its present healthful growth, 

 and before the next decade comes around, we may see these be- 

 come adequate, not only to supply our home demands, but to 

 furnish material for profitable foreign export of wool, as well 

 as mutton. A million farms only a bare fifth of the number 

 in this country upon which now the bleat of the sheep is not 

 heard, can each support a flock with economy and profit. All 

 that is requisite, is, that farmers will see how little it costs to 

 keep a flock, and how profitably it may be kept upon fodder 

 which, at the present, for the greater part, goes into the ma- 

 nure heap and serves only in its least profitable purpose. The 

 sheep's foot is truly golden, because it takes such fodder and 

 turns its most valuable portion into mutton and wool, and still 

 leaves the remainder greatly increased in effective usefulness, 

 as a rich manure for the improvement of the land. 



HACKENSACK, N. J., 1884. 



