Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-02-13
ron THE AMERICAN.
SH EEP HUSBAN R Y

SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
The cultivation Of the sheep and the manufac-
ture of the fleece have, from the earliest period Of
history, formed the mos, important branches Of
agriculture and commerce. The Patriarchs of old
weie extensively engaged in the business, and APP
parently devoted all their time and attention to
their improvement. Abraham was shepherd:
his son Isaac followed in the footsteps of his
illustrous predecessor y and Jacob had many
hocks and has been well veTsed in the science Of
propagation that he was enabled to counteract the
intrgues of his father in law, who intended to de.
prive him of the just reward Of his skill, faithful
ness and labors. From the period these illusrious
characters hourished to the present time, the sheep
and its fleece have been considered objects of par
amount Importance. England, Germany, France
and Spain, have gone largely into the raising of
sheep and no less than 80 millions of these useful
animals are now grazing on the pastures of Eng
land alone. During the late war and soon after,
some enterprsing and benevolent individuals of the
State of Now York, have made attempt to taiso
sheep in this country, and, in order to obtain a
fleece suitable for the manufacture of the finer
clothes, they imported the famous Merino from
Spain. These were crossed with our native
breeds, and the result more favorable than the
most sangune had reason to expect. The grade of
wool was much improved and the body of the
mixed breed larger, more robust and cons ,quentIy
better enabled to live through our cod northern
winter than the imported ones. The Saxon has
Al
the SJuth Devon and Cotswold have been added to
the list of foreign imporatons. Since it soon be-
came evident that the business would become a
profitable one many engaged in it, and, at present.
many million pounds Of wool are clipped from
sheep in the Northern and Eastern states.
From personal observations which have been
enabled to make, perceive that in the State Of
Pennsylvania, and particularly in the counties of
Northumberland, Union and Columbia, but few
sheep raised, comparatively speaking, and these
few only of the inferior breeds. At this | have
often been surprised, since there is no state in the
Union better adapted to the raising of sheep an,
where the business can be carried on wi NOR
profit, than the State of Pennsylvania. Our hi
lands considered very suitable for sheep and car
yet be obtained cheap; and, if an indiyidua
should engage extensively in the branch of nus
! handy, | have no doubt that he would receiy
abundant remuneration for his labor and capital in
| vested.
In some parts in the State of New York shec
land sells from sixty u seventy dollars per acre,
the other hand, our hill lands can he bought fro
ten 10 twenty dollars per acre. Now, if it is prot
| table in the State Of New York TO raise sheep upc
| land which costs from sixty to seventy dollars p
acre, should suppose that in Pennsylvania it wou
be more profitable when land of almost the slI
gu ality can here be bought from ten to twenty d
( lars per acre.
1t is the practice of some farmers to keep all thu
land in grass, either for pasture in summer or
making hay to feed their sheep during the wintte er
Others pursue the business of raising sheep mcrI Ib
as collateral branch: that is they keep one shdeT
for every of ground under cultivation. Iwouh
recommend The latter mode, and particularly advise
to combine sheep husbandry with the cultivation OF
grain A skifu farmer will soon reap the benefit
OF this system; because a rotation Of crops vii
keep his fields in good heart, and enable him tc
raise the best of wheat, and whilst part of hi,
grounds in pasture, his sheep will yield hin
good fceces. w. ]. F..
Cattawissa Feb. 5th, 1871.