Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-01-31
NASHVILLE, Jan. Doth. 1855.
Benz. F. CHAFrIN.


To the Editors of the Union and american:
GENTLEMEN the absence of Mr.. MARK r.
CoCKRILL, who is now at his plantation in Missis-
s;Pp, l send you this a reply to the inquiries of
your friend from Jackson county
Mr. CoCKRILL has Saxon Bucks which he will
sell at from $50 to $50 each, and they can be ship
ped to Gainsborough during the summer, at a cost
of s.. He has no Ewes at present, which he de-
sires to sell, but can supply any demand for Bucks
which may come.
The suggestions in the foregoing letter, contain a
desire to improve the scrub stock of sheep, and a
resolve to engage more extensively in WcOl gYOlU-
my. This is good omen from Mountain district
Of the State, and compliment to the doings Of
the late Agricultural Fair in this county.
As our cities grow, and our country population
thickens, greater demand for provisions for the
human family, is made upon the rich, ti!labe lands
of the State; and wool-growing IS therefore pro-
perry assigned to the poorer lands, and spsrser
population. The mountains cannot be TILED, but
they grow annually crop Of grass and herbs,
which sheep may convert into gold, and not ex-
haust the soil Ike corn, cotton and tobacco
By commencing with flock of common Ewes.
and a few Merino or Saxon Bucks, small capital
only is required to become wool-grower. But
AS sheep are inofensive animals, they require to
he guarded and protected from the depredations Of
dogs and wolves, by the presence of man. This is
the chief risk; for the Merino is hardy thrifty,
active travelling animal, of fine constitution, and
not subject to disease, and capable of making
good support from the mountain pastures, hence
better adapted to the section referred to than any
other kind known to the writer
The larger, heavier sheep, are fitted for the lux
uriant growth of rich lands.
Wool-growing in the mountain districts of Ten
nesse. will pay handsomely upon the capital invest
ed, provided it is pursued as business. One man
can attend TO about six hundred He may expect |
eighty lambs to every one hundred Ewes, and three |
pounds Of wool, worth thirty-fVe cents per pound,
when the Saxon qualities prevail! in the flock as
the annual yield; and this has compromising ten
dency, IS they reproduce at an early age
The shepherd and his dog must accompany the
flock in its daily travels 70 shelters are needed in
this latitude, but an elevated, dry resting place at
night should be selectedior them after regular ex
ercise in the open air during the day. When sent
into the mountains, circuit or walk should he laid
ont and regular folds for protection at night should
he established, with hut for the shepherd. Use
tbree bells for every hundred sheep to inform the
sbepherd of their whereabouts in the day, and to
,,,orn him Of danger at night; let his hut be in or
near the fold, and they will give him notice of the
,rnroach of the wolf, the much feared enemy.
For the annual incoming flock of young ewes
,,oro should be new male from the flock of pure
Hood; for the laws of physiology forbid the union
6 kindred branches, which is proven by innumera-
Il facts in the human family, as well as in other
locks of the animal kingdom. The yeaning sea-
m sbonld be early spring or first grass, and hence
,e necessity of separating the bucks from the ]
ocks, until October.