574 



SHEEP INDUSTRY OP THE UNITED STATES 



This stows an average of 35 cents per pound from 1883 to 1890, cov- 

 ering the period under the revised tariff of 1883. 



The average prices of wool during these three series of years reduced 

 to a gold basis are thus shown : 



Cents. 



During the suspension of specie payments 43. 00 



After resumption and before the revision of tlie tariff in 1883 43. 00 



From the revision of the tariff in 1883 until 1890 35. 00 



It is not the intention to discuss these figures and the preceding 

 tables. They speak for themselves. They show that wool has been 

 more constant in production and more stable in price than any j)roduct 

 of Ohio, and that while all other farm crops have suffered a great reduc- 

 tion wool has suffered less than any. There has been a more marked 

 depression since 1883, but this depression has been felt by all other 

 farm products and in every State and Territory in our broad land. 



Table showing the nmnier and value of slieep in Ohio from 1840 to 1890. 



1840 

 1846 

 1848 

 1350 

 1851 

 1852 

 1853 

 1864 

 1855 

 1866 

 1857 

 1858 

 1859 

 1860 

 1861 

 1862 

 1863 

 1864 

 1865 

 1866 

 1867 



Ifumljer. 



2, 028, 401 

 3, 141, 946 



3, 677, 171 



3, 942, 929 

 3, 619, 674 

 3, 059, 796 

 4, 104, 450 



4, 854, 189 



4, 337, 943 

 3, 513, 680 

 3, 276, 539 

 3, 377, 840 

 3, 366, 073 

 3, 546, 073 

 3, 943, 436 

 4, 448, 227 



5, 042, 439 

 5, 560, 318 

 6, 305, 796 

 6, 966, 028 

 7, 655, 507 



$1, 283, 386 

 1,758,433 



1, 988, 316 



2, 050, 323 



2, 060, 012 



3, 531, 385 

 6, 443, 391 

 8, 031, 854 

 6, 664, 829 

 5, C09, 410 



5, 357, 275 

 4, 756, 215 

 6, 442, 984 



6, 029, 503 

 6,681,427 

 7, 839, 041 



14, 337, 058 

 17, 602, 667 

 22, 088, 176 

 20, 081, 944 

 20, 300, 302 



Year. 



1868 . 



1869 . 



1870 . 



1871 . 

 1872. 

 1873 . 

 1874. 

 1875. 

 1376. 

 1877. 

 1878. 

 1879 . 

 1880. 

 1881. 

 1882. 

 1883. 

 1884 . 

 1886. 

 1886 . 

 1890. 



The Statistician of the U. S. Department of Agriculture reports in 

 January, 1890, that in Ohio in the preceding year " there has been an 

 unusual demand for sheep, saving thousands from slaughter, and giv- 

 ing a healthy tone to the industry," and in January, 1891, " sheep have 

 increased in numbers and quality, the mutton breeds having the lead." 



He reports a gain of 406,170 sheep from January 1, 1891, to January 

 1, 1892, and an increase in value during the same period from $3.25 to 

 $3.30 per head. Sheep — prime mutton — found ready sale, and, compe- 

 tition being more restricted than with beef, prices ranged with profit 

 to feeders. Wool, however, was lower than for years. The tendency 

 stUl continued to cross fine- wool sheep with Lincoln, Shropshire, and 

 other large mutton breeds, aiming to secure large lambs for early 

 feeding. 



