Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-12-03
SHEEP UUSBANDRi.

Communn oted by the Rec Usnry Coinan, 10 the
Neu York ia MIR ona .4mtriean Gardener
In NV communication 10 tho las, No. of the
New York Farmer, referred ~ an account OF
sheen establishments politely furnished me bya
very in,clliven, and experimental shepherd, Leo
nsrd Jarvis. Esq, OF C!anmon', v. H., asaoei-
den,ally mislaid Ii has since come 10 hand, and
have the pleasure Of presenting II 10 my agrieal-
tnral friends, to whom it will be interesting
Claremont, " H. august %, 1885.
Rry.H ColMAN--D Dear Sir My avocations
have been so pressing that until this moment
nave not been able To communicate, rs YOU reques-
ted me, some remarks upon my sheep and their
treatment. Though | hase been shepherd 30
wears, with n flock seldom ever less than 1000,
more frequently 20OO, am sill somewhat undo
cded what description OF wool can be grown most
proftaby, and whether carefully breeding IN and
in, or ludciously crossing, produces the greatest
improvement
/ commenced growing fine wool with consld.
cradle number of the imported Paular and ESen-
rial then considered as The best stock IN Spain,
which flock ! have kept to this day pure and I'm.
mixed and at the same time, by orosslngtw looks,
have a third flock, combining generally the pro-
pertes of both hnckS, but OCCASIONAL showing the
characteristics OF ono OF them. At the introduction
Of the Saxons, procured some valuable bucks,
fourth lock, and consequently have bad, for the
last ten years, four distinct flockS, VIZ. Paular, ks
curia Pauar aud Escural mixed, and Saxon u
pitcd with Merino. These fum hocks have acuui-
red great perfection by my unr mittcd attention 10
the selection of breeders, The Mcrino this time
carrying much finer fleece than ia 1910, as is
apparent by contrasting the present clips with
wool shorn in tina, year There is very little diff
ference in the 6nene>s of my Saxon and Escural
heeces /; these last are somewhat heavier with a
staple more elastic. The EScural has a greater
resemblance Than any other Merinos. both in form
and fleece. To the Sayo, that have seen, and is
probably the Spanish flock from which the
most approved SaxonS originated. Tho Pau
lars more compact in form, have heavier
fleece, and are conslitutionay the most hardy of
all the Merino race. ! omitted to say that had
also, when began TO grow line wool, three other
pure Mcrnu hockS, w. tie NlCrctta, EQuiro2,
and Monarco but after few years experience,
gave decided preference Ia the Paular and e.
,uria, and discarded tie Others. You have now
concise description OF my kinds OF sheep ; aud
will say word OF Two as To their general manage
ment.
usually commence with dry fodder by the mid
die oi November aud discontinue bv the 9Th of
May generally, however, Tor the first and last fiji
teen days, giving no has unless the ground should
be- covered, but feeding about haIfa gill of Indian
corn 10 the sheep twice day. As Tar rs my en-
pericnce extends, ton Of g0od hay will suffice for
ten sheep. with the above quantity OF gram
They are fed from racks in the yard and have
sheds 10 retire to At will. have fed under cover
but believe that il tends 10 diminish the appetite
and mlurc the constitution. They are kept IN sep.
arate yards, in numLor from 80 10 100, taking
care 10 keep those of about the same degree OF
strength by themselves, and have running water
though, when the ground is covered with snow |
think they do well without ii. | allow about four
bushels OF salt TO the 100 sheep the greater pant Of
Which is consumed when the sheep are nj grass
My bucks run with the ewes from the lst Ia the
10Th oil December, allown ihrco to the 100. The
number OF lambs reared depends much upon the
season 90 lambs from the 100 ewes NAV be the
average from fochS in quality like nine from
coarser nockS the return Is greater. The ewes
not permitted to receive the buck till they are
two years old, aud prefer bucks from two wear.
old to four.
These few facts will probsbl, afford YOU little
or no information but in compliance with YOU,
request communicate them, and should be graft
ted Oh receiving snne account of your own man
agemeni am, dear sir,
Very respectfully,
LEONARD JARVIS.
To this ohlgmg munication, | take the
liberty 10 subloln particular account of the a,
bove sen,leman's flock ironhls printed advertising