The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-10-29
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES o.
+ AJ ONO.
BY w. G.. EDMUNDSON.

Sheep Husbaadry.-This branch of bu.
sinsss is yearly on the increase, and is
fast becoming a great favorite among the
farmers in the older settled portions OF the
state. The extraordinary high prices paid
for wool this season, have produced the
conviction in the minds OF many, that
those rates will continue to be offered in
future seasons, and hence almost a mania
bias been produced among those who pos.
sess large locks of sheep, and in many
cases, persons who have heretofore con.
faed their operations to other branches OF
agriculture, have purchased sheep the pre-.
sent summer, and have seeded down their
worn out lands with the cultivated grasses.
for the purpose Of affording pasture for
their flocks. The number Of sheep in Ohio
may be fairly estimated at 1000, 900;
these, at alow calculation. yielded a rev.
enue Of So, 500, 900. Those who pay
much attention in the selection, and are
careful in providing their locks Of sheep
with good wholesome summer and winter
food have no difficulty in Obtaining All
average value equal to n dollar per
heece. This. in connection with the in.
4 crease Of lambs, make it a business be.
yond all comparison, more profitable than
any other branch OF farming. Some choice
locks of full blooded French Merino sheep
have yielded, on an average, four pounds
per fleece, which brought iorty-ive ce,ts
Der pond, and in a few instances still bet
ter than this was done. though the Rocks
in the latter instance were not SO large,
and a portion Of them were wethers.
lin the eastern counties, those bordering
on the Ohio river, the u ll-blooded Saxon
sheep may be found in great abundance;
and the finest OF the staple Of the wool
cannot be excelled by any other portion OF
tho Union. Ii must be admitted by all
who have given this matter proper invest.
CATION, that Eastern Ohio. as a region for
Ee production OF a fine staple OF wool.
has no competitor on this continent. The
soil and climate, and withal the tastes and
habits of the rural population. are emf.
nently adapted to produce this result; and
If the prices Of the finer sorts Of wool be
at all remunerative in future years the
focks OF sheep Throughout, all the billy
counties of the state, will be greatly en-
larged. This region. embracing some ff-
teen to twenty counties. is capable Of sus.
tanning iO,OO0 900 sheep, without maieri.
ally interfering with other products. The
more clover the land can be made to pro.
duce, and the larger the yield Of clover
the greater will be the quantity of wles'
the soil is capable Of producing. Thi.
doctrine is now pretty well understood by
many Of the old wealthy farmers OF JEFF
iersohA Harrison. Belmont. aud other east
e.n counties OF Ohio, who have realized
lstgs fortunes from their extensive flock
Of fine wooled sheep.
Agents from eastern manufacturing es
Adjustments passed through all parts O
the state during the winter months. an,
contracted for the fleeces with the farmers
many months before the sheep were shorn
OF prices ranging from 80 to 60 cents pc
pound,and almost invariably paid a con
siderable portion Of the money in ad
yance. One farmer in Licking county
having some 600 head OF ine woole
sheep. contracted for his entire clip At A
cents per pound, and received in III
month of January, on the same, one do
lar pef. fleece on The contract. These az,
olKhf iHduencea Of . similar charactel