The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-11-23
Volume XII.

Vermont will be proud of IFS mutton one Of
these years. But lei that pass. We have
the opinion Of one OF the most successful Of
Vermont wool growers, founded on his own
experience, in favor OF the principle, as olim-
mense practical value among US.
As preparation for winter is the order Of the
day for November, we take the liberty, in
this connection, to state few facts in regard
TO plan OF close keeping adopted by the
Hon John S. Pefiibone of Massachusetts
who has one Of the best focks Of Merinos in
the country.
Judge Peuihone has q barn 40 feet bv 80
which he fills with hay. Along one side and
across one emf oil this he has erected close
sheds, ) feet wide, at an expense, including
GU feet OF wall. of $500 Living water whibh
ncvor freezes. runs through the sheds, so as
to accommodate the different flocks. Good
Turks Island salti kept in boxes accessible
10 The sheep at all times. In this close shed
he has for Two years kept sheep confined.
The sheep are divided, store sheep in one
part, eve lambs in another, buck lambs in
third, the divisions being made by the boxes
from which both ad Joining flocks eat, and Of
course may be varied according TO circum-
stances. The harm berg about a mile from
the house, the sheep were fed but twice day.
with intervale hay, including some wild grass
&c, and had not particle Of grain of any de-
scripIion. YET he informs US thai he never
anew sheep do better They consisted of a.
bout 100 yearllng ewes, including some oil
different ages, and l02 lambs; and there was
not sicklv sheep in the whole LOT. Lambs
are oieD subject 10 scours, but not one OF
these was so affected. Alter being confined
on these narrow limits five months and two
days, they all came out Except one which
got hung in the rack) as well and in as good
order as when put up; & this wlhs;aniing
he remarks, there never was a year before in
which so many sheep died in that vicinity
Foriy-two OF The buck lambs were taken 10
Ohio, and sheared 5Ibs of wool each.-or
rather. 80 bucks-42 lambs and old bucks
averaged 5 lbs. The remainder averaged
over lbs. Hehasno doubt but wool on sheen
thus kept is softer and of better growth than.
on sheep exposed to cold and siorms.-They
require, 100, less fodder, and The manure is
made more valuable.
The result it will be seen, comedies for
substance, with the conclusion OF the English
feeders OF mutton in regard 10 all the three
important points, economy flood, good con-
diion OF the animals, and the increased val
ne Of the manure. The principle is, confine-
ulCul anu piotCbilOu-COUllOTt dIU QuleI.
Now what on can add 10 the top of the
heapin any such way, is clear profit. so
much only stays ir the purse rs comes after
tie sheep is paid for. The remark is obvious
enough, and the woo-grower may repeat it
a thousand times; and yet he may fail to
make. in The actual management OF his flock,
the legitimate differences. He may not, in
view OF il, make il his aim by nice calculation
and careful management. TO save lew cents
a head in keeping, CT in manure, or add two
or three ounces 10 the weight of his fleece;
and yet he would be far from Indifferent TO
The equivalent of this in his sales, i. e two or
three cents pound in the price OF his wool.
Something may yet doubtless be learned
in regard 10 the kind Of food used. We be
lieve it is getting 10 he more common TO feed
beans. Experiment shows that they arc Pc
culiarIy favorable TO the growth of wool.
Chemical analysis tells us the reason;-beans
contain more of the constituent elements Of
wool than any other kind OF food.
= Our description above does not give the