GENERAL REPORT. 
43 
Sheep llushandry is admirably suited to Wisconsin ; its un¬ 
dulating, and in some counties billy, surface and pure dry at- 
mospliere going far to insure to the animal a sound constitu¬ 
tion and comparative freedom from various diseases, which se¬ 
riously militate against its success in localities characterized by 
the opposite conditions—facts which the following figures show 
are beginning to be appreciated by our farmers. 
In 1860 the total number of sheep and lambs, on hand at 
date of census and slaughtered during the year was 487,371, 
with an estimated valuation of $708,607. In 1865 the number 
reported was 1,078,366, with a valuation of $2,680,267. The 
amount of wool produced in 1860 was 915,073 pounds, valu¬ 
ed at $331,147. Amount in 1865, 2,584,019 ; value, $1,916,- 
248. This remarkable increase in number and value—and 
the real increase has been still greater than appears by the re¬ 
turns ; the agricultural statistics being much more thoroughly 
collected in 1860 than in 1865—is partly attributable to the 
conditions peculiar to the times. But, independent of this, 
much progress would have been made as a result of the con¬ 
viction that wool-growing, if judiciously followed, in connec¬ 
tion with other branches of husbandry, will yield larger aver¬ 
age profits, one year with another, than the exclusive wheat- 
culture so persistently practiced by many. In 1864, farmers 
who had been shrewd enough to discern the signs of the times 
reaped golden harvests ; receiving in many cases over one dol¬ 
lar per pound for large clips. 
Since the close of the war, owing to some diminution of the 
demand and an unjust discrimination by the government 
against home producers in favor of foreign wools, prices have 
ruled lower; falling in 1865 to 48a57 cts., then dropping to 
40a50, then to 35a45, and this year to 30a35. 
The intelligent farmers of Wisconsin will not be dishearten¬ 
ed, however. Wiser counsels will prevail in Congress one of 
these days. Wool must always be a staple crop, and sooner 
or later the bulk of its production will fall to those portions 
of the country best endowed by nature for this purpose. 
The Legislature can do much to protect this great interest 
by the enactment of wise and liberal laws. 
