KARAKULSHEEP 85 



140 per cent," which increase, if maintained, will soon leave even 

 a larger margin of profit. 



An appreciable profit over ordinary sheep raising is also secured 

 because the 'slinks' or stUl-born lambs, as well as the lambs that die 

 soon after birth, produce skins often valuable, and sometimes more 

 valuable, than those of lambs born healthy and killed afterwards. 

 The 'baby lamb' or 'broadtail' fur, which is made -from the still-born 

 lambs is one of the costliest furs on the market, ranking among the 

 precious furs. It is by far the costliest fur produced by a herbivorous 

 animal. 



The wool of the karakul is used in Bokhara for the manufacture 

 of valuable rugs — an industry in which Bokharans excel. 



When the large margin of profit obtained in rearing lambs 

 Karakuriheep which will fetch from $5.00 to $12.00 each at birth, 



as compared with ordinary sheep farming, is considered, 

 the importation and rearing of karakul sheep would appear to be a profit- 

 able industry. Unfortimately for America, the difficulties of securing 

 these animals are practically insurmountable. The Bokharans are 

 Mohammedans who do not hesitate to cheat, or even to kill, a Christian. 

 A passport and permits from the Russian Minister of War and from 

 the Vice-Emir of Bokhara are required before entering the khanate, 

 and the djigits, or Bokharan police, will accompany the foreigner 

 only a short distance from the military posts. Caravans to remote 

 oases are necessary. The health of the foreigner is liable to break down 

 because of the absence of pure water, the unspeakable filth in which 

 the natives live, and because of dangerous diseases such as 

 reshta, bubonic plague, Asiatic cholera and pendinka. In his 

 bulletin, Karpov says: "The natives, especially the Tenkintze and 

 Sarts, are greatly averse to selling any sheep, and, if they do, they will 

 try to dispose of those known to them as not producing the best of fur. 

 Sometimes, after covering great distances on camels, one finally meets 

 the herd owner, and, he is informed that the sheep are not for sale 

 at all, or is asked prohibitive prices. I do not deem it best to describe 

 the sale of sheep when they are commanded to do so by the Emir's 

 higher officials . . The cost of delivery of the sheep to the railroad 

 station when bought, for instance, in the interior of the Kerki desert, 

 is enormous, even though they cost only $60.00 each at the ranch. 

 Several sheep have been exported to Germany, also to Hungary and 

 Africa. The fifteen head taken to Texas by Dr. C. C. Young, assisted 

 by the Poltava Agrictdtural Society, are especially noteworthy. The 

 success obtained in America is a movement that may in future give 

 tremendous competition and disrupt the industry in Bokhara. It 



