The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-12-29
AGRICULTURAL.
ON THE FARM.

SHEEP.-As the wool business has become
very important branch Of American hus
bandry, and is competent Of being made
much more so unless destroyed by the suici-
dial policy of our law makers, we shall give a
few brief directions with regard TO the twin
Ter management Of sheep. And in what
we shall say we wish it distinctly under
stood that We are only presenting brief abb
stract OF those rules laid down in that most
able work, The American Shepherd pub
lished in 1915, by l.. A. Morrell. who is him
self one Of the most enlightened sheep breed
ers in the country, and whose book should
be in the possession Of every agricultor in
the country, rs without doubt, il combines
more true philosophy connected with the
rearing and management of sheep, and
more of those unerring results arising from
practical knowledge, than any other volume
ever printed.
NECESSITY OF PRoTEcrroN-There is
nothing, says the author, appcrtaining TO
sheep economy, more generally neglected
than the provisions Of ample and warm ac-
commodations for shelter, and from no other
cause does such losses accrue. Ii is rapidly
practised in Prussia, Germany, Scotland and
the northern parts oil England; and every
sheep historian recommends it. SO indis-
pensable is it held, that The author OF a
Scotch work upon the subject, lays down
This emphatic lue: Shelter is The first
thing 10 be attended 10 in the (winter) man.
agement of sheep rule whose common,
sense must commend il 10 the adoption of
every sheep owner. While every good
shepherd is decidedly hostile 10 their being
confined or 10 their being forced into shelter
whether they wish il or not, il cannot be 10
strongly recommended 10 all sheep farmers.
TO put the means ofavoiding the severity of
stormy weather within the reach of their
flock at all times. To illustrate The advan-
tage Of shelter our author adduces the OK
ample Of Mr.. Spooner'S experience, which
we will give in his own words. He says:
Until within the last ten years, the wri-
ter's i0cks, like thousands Of others At the
present time in his ard other states. were
denied the benefit Of shelters and tho loss.
IN proportion TO the severity OF winters. varied
from 10 10 per cent. The diseases caused
by their exposure were such as scah, pel' rot
dysentcry, and colds, which caused an ex-
cessive discharge ofmucus from the nosrs,
while many died from no other cause. ap-
paVcntly, than sheer poverty OF condition.
Since, however, his sheep have been profec-
ted, the deaths have not exceeded one and
n halt per cent. in regard to number. and if
IL. u
would not he considered OF any moment. Us
the loss has been mostly among diminuiive
spring lambs-sO from bad nursing. and old
ewes which, from superiority of fleece or
carcase, were retained thus long TO breed
f,om.'
Protection materially increases the weight
of the fleece and improves lis quality. The
comforts Of shelter enables the animal the
better 10 retain IFS flesh, rs also, 10 receive
accessions and as a consequence ITO increase
lis fleece. as the secrelions which produce
fish and the fluids which impart growth TO
the wool all proceed from the same source.
But as facts arc more reliable than theory we
will Stale that the flock Of the writer in
creased in weight of fleece, by shelter, from 2
lbs OF. 10 lbs o. 10 lbs on , ma
king an aggregate difference in the weight
OF The wool Of his flock Of 1000 pounds. The
wool TOO is greatly improved in sollness. as
also in the soundncss and evenness OF The f.
Incorporates which tend much 10 enhance
lis value in the market. The superior con
d;lon of the ewes induced by the comforts OF
shelter, materially increases the numbc Of
the lambs.
Shelter saves prnvender. "a animals con-
sumo more food when exposed 10 the inclem.
encv of the weather; under the latter crcum-
stances a large portion of their food, by the
law OF necessity existeth in animal economy.
being appropriated TO purposes Of heat.
which under the former condition would have
gone 10 the production of flesh, muscle and
fat.