The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-01-18
II. BELL, Editor and Proprietor.

age whereas exposure cuts down good as
Indifferent. But to make my limited loss
during the season of foddering, appear still
more striking, will state the fact, that last
winter, out of two thousand, sixteen only
died of the age of two years and upwards,
Several of these through casuliies,) and the
residue that died were small lambs, ten from
bad nursing, and the number about twenty.
If this statement is contrasted with the per
centage before the resort 20 protection, it
will readily dispel the delusion that it tends
10 enervate the constitution of sheep.
Although philosophy enters largely in
support of the position that shelteripg Of
sheep in our climate is counteracting cause
of disease, yet it is deemed necessary to
STATE only simple fact TO overthrow the
prejudice heretofore stated in reference to
this point. When my focks were exposed,
the diseases to which they were subject were
scd6, pehrot, Scours or purging, and an ex-
ceSsive discharge Of mucuS from the nose,
and many died from apparently no other
disease than sheer poverty. But since pro-
lection, no epidemic has prevailed, and dis
ease of any kind is rare indeed, only occur
SuoCo. iOiil LiAio iCohiiB
whatever may be the conclusion of some, it
must al least be clear to every unparalleled
mind, that warm shelters are the prerentreS
of disease, rather than the inducing cause.
That protection will deteriorate the quail
ty of the fleece, of which very many seem
quite sure, nothing is more groundless;
delusion, and like every thing else of this
character, originating in ignorance. This
class OF farmers say, that the Sayons, which
yield finer wool than any other variety,
and possessing more delicate constitutions,
live in a colder climate than ours, and hence
conclude that exposure is necessary here, 10
prevent deterioration. That the climate of
parts of Germany, where the pure Saxons
abounds, is colder than this latitude, is very
true but the fact, ii appears, is not known,
that there protection is Of the utmost neces-
sity, and is most rigidly practised. lgnor
ance of this is tie foundation of the fallacy
which so generally prevails.
With the statement of one or two facts,
will close the discussion OF this point, alIho'
it could be made stronger by other ilustra'
tons. The first clip after my hocks We're
sheltered, their wool (stapled at Mddlesex
mandatory, Lowell. )sold, sorted, three CTS.
per ID. higher than the previous one, which
arose not from selling tie coarsest cheep
during the interim, having parted with only
about so Of this class. And again, my wool,
previous 10 that period, was harsh, weak in
fibre, and TO use technical term, dead in
feeling since then, it has been distinguish
ed by life, softnesS and elasticity, and great
strength of fibre. This is always a natural
and sure consequence, when sheep are kept
in vigorous and healthy condition.
The next point that shall notice is, tina,
protection 1c;H increase the ,ceigh Of the
fleece. All farmers are aware that in fatten-
ing swine, or other stock, mildncss Of tenn
peratare is Of paramount importance 10 has
ten the process and why? Because the
comfort of the animal is thereby promoted.
And it is asked, will not the same cause
produce a similar result with the sheep, when
lis comfort is thus consulted o.? Surely this
will not be questioned. And who will deny
that sheep IN good condition will shear a
larger amount of wool than one ia very ord.
mary flesh. But will leave theory, and
resort TO stubborn facts spread before me in
my sheep records, which will place the point
in question beyond the cavil of the most
skep.ical. Before protection. the average
yield of wool per head was from ? ID. 7 OF
TO ID. Q o.; and this too, when the flock
partook more OF the old fashioned Merino
characteristics than at present and Proyl-
lied the same meals had been adopted 10
secure their health and condition as now, the
produce would have exceeded 3 lbs; of this
there is not doub,. The first clip that fol
lowed pro,ection, the average per head was
, b. 10 or; The scond 2 ID. IA o.; third, 2
ID. l22 OF fourth, . ID. lOl or; and the
last clip, h. II OF The disparity in these
averages are in part 10 be attributed to the
number of yearlings, but mostly to the sea-
sons, which in an unaccoun,able manner af-
feet sometimes the weight Of fleece general
| ". l shall not GO into further particulars,
but state that the aggregate increase OF five
clips, as above, amounts TO seventeen hum
bred pounds, which at the prices sold,would
cover the interest of the whole flock for five
years valuing them at one dollar and fifty
cents per head This is submitted as one
of the solid arguments in favor of the policy
of protection. The legitimate conclusion
10 be drawn from the above premises is, that
sheep kept in good condition will yield lar
ger quantity of wool-ergo-the necessity..of
protection, as one of the means to promote
this condition.
Increase of lambs, is another sure result
of protection. 1t is almost superfuous to
tell an intelligent, practical farmer, or the
animal Psychologist, that in order to produce
healthy and vigorous offspring, the sire
and dam should possess sound constitutions,
and good condition during pregnancy is OF
the highest importance. By means OF great
attention to these important PARTICULARS to-
gether with skilful crossing, may be ascri-
bed all the improvements which have been
made from time TO Time, in domestic ami
mails"
A Healthy Tovn. Dana, a small town
in the west part of Worcester county, con.
tanning six hundred and ninety inhabitants