312 MODERN SHEEP: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



which they would likely have fallen had they worked in the dark 

 and upon their own initiative. 



There are those who cherish the idea that the experiment sta- 

 tion that does not enter into competition and win honors galore at 

 our leading shows is not "in it." This is a great mistake in the 

 writer's opinion. Were I asked my opinion as to the advisability of 

 experiment stations competing at our great shows, I should say 

 that such would be out of place, especially so far as showing 

 in competition with the livestock breeder is concerned, but that if 

 an experiment station could see its way clear to make an honorary 

 exhibit, not for competition but for strictly educational purposes, 

 then all well and good. 



It is no wonder to those who have had the privilege of visit- 

 ing the different agricultural colleges and experiment stations of 

 this country that more intensive and elaborate experiments have 

 not been carried on with sheep than has been the case, since it is 

 very easy to see that this is the one end of such institutions that 

 has been sadly handicapped for lack of funds and, perhaps, in some 

 instances, want of interest. Matters, however, are undergoing a 

 change, as those interested are becoming cognizant of the fact that 

 the sheep industry is one of the most important features connected 

 with American Agriculture. Professor W. C. Coffey, of the Uni- 

 versity of Illinois, recently expressed himself to the writer in the 

 following words in speaking of the present and future of sheep at 

 our experiment stations: 



"Each of our state agricultural colleges and experiment sta- 

 tions is necessarily governed to an extent in the active attitude it 

 takes toward a certain line of work by the relative importance of 

 that work in the state where each particular college and experi- 

 ment station may be. Through statistics we learn that the valua- 

 tion of sheep in nearly every state outside of the great range region 

 is lower than that of horses, cattle or swine. From the foregoing 

 statements we can readily understand why some of our sheepmen 

 nave felt that sheep have received too little attention at our agricul- 

 ural colleges and experiment stations. In behalf of these institu- 



? let us remember that the limited means have often prevented 

 em from working along certain lines as they would wish and that 

 they have been obliged to give first and chief consideration to the 

 more urgent questions. 



"It is probably true that most of our colleges have endeavored 

 to live up to the possibilities in the work of sheep husbandry, but 

 it is undoubtedly true also that in many cases the amount of work 

 done was very meager. Where such was the case we choose to be- 

 lieve the retarding cause was the lack of funds to procure suitable 

 specimen sheep, equipment and men trained in this branch of ani- 

 mal husbandry. Instances have been known where the instructor 



