The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-09-01
agricultural, Nf.
Ths slfeep and his Food.

AP fyEEWCP GAAAN MAA5 A ~OS
The sheep, in state of nature inclines
TO the hills, and in domeSticated state
prefers tbs billy lands, and in such loca
tiurs viii 1--we and thrive where no other
ahfmul except the goat can. In winter
che keeping of sheep costs comparatively
less than that of cattle, as they need only
sheds for slltiter and will live on coarse
81 fodder, two pounds of hay or its equiva-
ient being sufficient per day for each
sheep. There is no doubt of sheep being
Che better stock to bring upw worn out land'
as they scatter their manure more evenly
on the surface of the lands, and it causes
the finer grasses to grow. and on hillyI
and rocky land, where manure cannot be
applied, they are decidedly the best stock
to keep ip haart, and they kill out the
briars and bushes on the pastures on
which they are kept. No animal, it is
eontended, will return as much to the
land in proportion to what it takes OF as
sheep; and it is rule that the great
er part of the crop of the farm should be
consumed at home, except in cases where
manure is bought. With this class of
stock, mach depends on the object the
farmer has In YieV, as to the choice of
breeds. If wool is desired, the Spanish
Merinos, or some of the sub varieties are
best ; near a market where mutton is Of
more consequence, the English breeds
are more profitable.
have succeeded we'll by crossing ths
Paular Merino with the common sheep,
and with Cotswod and South downs.
The result was an increase and improve
mcnt in wool and weight of carcass. |
consider the Paular and Monterko Merinos
imported by Col. Humphry, the best
sheep, all things considered, that have
been INTRODUCED into this country. So
far as my knowledge extends, they have
proved the most hardy and consume the
least food, compared with the English
breeds, and the crosses have produced
mRtton equal to the best. There is no
doubt at the present time that mutton
can be produced at the present prices in
market, at a greater profit than any other
meat. Glover hay is more proftably fed
to sheep in the winter than any other, es-
peeially 10 breeding ewes Rowen or af-
tefmath may be fed to this part of the
Aock especially before dropping their
lambs, as it enables the ewes to supply
larger supply Of milk. Turnips and roots
Of various kinds, cut fine and mixed with
wheat bran, mill feed oats and buckwheat
are fed with good results. Experiments
have proved that wheat bran, at a rate
Of ono pound to each per day, fed morn
ing and evening to ewes with lambs, is
one of the best kinds of food to produce
q flow of milk, 1t produces no febrlle
action, is nutritious, and seems to exert q
specific inaunce in producing milk. Chem
ical analysis shows that the fattening
qualities of wheat are mostly contained
in the bran. Corn whether fe whole or
gFothd, | consider SO far as food for ewes
With lambs, and SO far as milk is concern
ed, fed in any quantity, is dangerous
Where the farmer is feeding for mutton,
corn fed whole or in ground state, in
moderate quantities, mixed with other
food, and cut turnips, | eonsi der as good
and profitable.
In all cases let US return to the true
principles Of agricultural eeonomy,-that
he who produces the most at the least
expense is most deserving, and the sheep
that returns the greatest profit is the
most valuable.
Amer. Stock Journal.