SHEEP ON SMALL FARMS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 145, 14 February 1916, Page 1

SHEEP ON SMALL FARMS.

Tendency in America,

In America, various State boards of agriculture and other agricultural agencies, becked, up by the United States Department ot Agriculture, are urging upon lardloraa the importance ot establi-hing small flucks of sheep. "The magnetism of cheap lanuß," writes an* eflicer of the United States Department ot Animal Husbandry, "has constantly dravvn the sheep breeding industry westward, creating quite a general impression that sheep are unprofitable upon high priced land. This may have been true in thepast, but, the industry is under going an evolution. Tha range is alaiott cornpkt.lj occupied, and is constantly decreusirg in extent. The cosi of running sheep in the range country has gradually increased. The period ti exploitation is passing, and a new era of co structive live stock fanning is at hard, which means that a more intensive system of farming upoa high-priced land must follow. In 13 is already in evidence in certain localities, ana with better care than is row generally given, tli 2 sheep should prove more extersive. In England the question is not whether you can alford to keep sheep cn high-pricni but whether you can afford to keep high-pric:d land without sheep, and the time is fast approaching when the same thing will hold true here."

The same punt of view is taken by Dr Arbuckle, an American sheep breeder, who believes that "we people uf America hold a strategic placa for mar.y years to come, because, with the exception, of South America, we are the only nation producing wool and mutton that will not be upset bv the war. It is hard to see how ten years could bring these countries back to normal, even if tha war should stop this coming winter." Dr Arbuckle believes it. will be fur Americans to handle she manufacturing interests as they have never been able to do in the past, and the production of mutton will bo developed with every passing month far beyond the most sanguine expectations. He was soriv that American farmers have not teen induced to start small flecks. As the large Hocks in the Western .States are elowly giving way before the advancing tide of settlers, who are to te the tillers of the soil rather than steel; raisers, he cannot eee how they are going to reach the c*e!icicncy which must inevitably arise. For two years he has been preaching to the small faimers that (lay of their opportunity is here.

"Sheep raising," the same aithority repeats, "will bring large prolits during the next ten years. Why not stock up before prices get higher. There will be an opeini.g for small stu.l flucks, too. Who is going to supply the ever growing demand for good rati ?? At no time in the history of America will the breeding of purebred sheep cxpen ence such a boom. Sheep husbandry should receive more attentiun trom the farmers than it does at the pre3ent tune. Unquestionably, i-'iecp raising could profitably be fitted into the general management of a great many farms where there are Lone at present."