ruction by the
late war was very great, and years will be required to replace those so
destroyed, especially in the rebel and border States, which must be
supplied from the North. Swine, also, are now deficient, and principally
because, a few years since, for a time the price of pork was very low,
and their growth was in consequence, at once almost abandoned. The
farmer should take a broader view of things, and pursue a steady, onward
course, avoiding all extremes, as well as sudden changes. As a large
portion of his farm products are more adapted to the feed of cattle,
horses and swine than to sheep, he should, if for no other reason, keep
a due proportion of these animals, any excitement in favor of sheep
notwithstanding. My own opinion most decidedly is, that the time has
come when the best interests of the farmers of Michigan require that a
portion of the attention now being devoted to sheep husbandry should be
directed to that of other kinds of stock.

But, to return again from this digression to the subject of sheep and
wool.

One of the most serious difficulties with which the farmers have to
contend, is the combinations that are too often sought to be made by
purchasers to secure their wool at the lowest possible figures. The
manufacturers and wool buyers, undoubtedly act in concert,--at least to
some considerable extent,--to depress the price, and especially so,
before and about the time the new clip is coming in. They are well
drilled in this, and many of their operations are systematic and
efficient. At such time they pretend not to be in want of wool,--that
the demand will be light, &c. Purchases are made very sparingly, and
temporary supplies are procured from other sources, even at a higher
cost than the farmers ask. This is done upon the ground that an
occasional sacrifice of this kind pays well in the end, if thereby they
are able to keep down the price of the great bulk of domestic wool.
Sometimes fictitious sales are reported, and various other means are
employed to this end, with the view that a few holders, at
least,--either from necessity or timidity,--may be induced to sell, and
thus aid their efforts to establish low prices.

It thus becomes the duty of the farmers to act with much consideration,
study and wisdom; and purely as a matter of self-defense, to adopt some
concert of action among themselves for the protection of their own
interests. When the price is low and the market dull at the ti