Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-01-09
SHEEP.

We learn from the sacred writings
that Abel, the second of Adam, was a
" keeper of sheep" and from that time
down to the present, no other animal
has received more attention from man
kind than this most docile and peace
able animal. The probability is that
Western Asia is the original, habita-
tion Of the sheep. From this region
it has spread over various parts of the
earth, which by influence of climate
and location, food and treatment, has
given numerous variations and grades,
differing in many important character
istics from the original stock of the
days Of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
all Of whom were great shepherds.
The sheep, like the goat, prefers the
hillside and mountainous districts to
the valley or plains. Naturalsts tell
us that the original color of the sheep
was dark brown or black, and has on
ly been changed to white by skillful
breeding. Traces of this original col
or may still be found in our modern
tiocks, some with dark brown faces
and legs, and occasionally black or
dark colored lamb may be seen in the
snowy flock. . ...
The sheep is naturally wool bear
ing animal, yet varies in quality and
texture from the downy wool to the
coarser grade nearly resembling hair.
The coarse quality is found upon the
sheep of the tropical regions, while in
the higher latitudes the finer qualities
prevail, which facts being true, it is
conclusive that this latitude is well
adapted to the growing of the best
qualities of wool. ..
In discussing this subject, in regard
to the profits of wool-growing in this
State, we must defer to those having
experience in the business. In this
county very few farmers keep sheep
at all. That the climate is suited to
sheep growing there is no doubt. In
New England wool-growing has ever
been esteemed one of the most profit
able branches Of agriculture, and it
must certainly be twice as expensive
there as it is here. ...
Within a few months past we have
made it point to inquire particular
ly OF farmers engaged i'm raising
sheep in regard to the profits of the
business as compared with other
branches Of stock raising or husband
ry, and we have universally been as.
sured that it is one Of the best pay
ing branches Of farming. The ques-
tlon naturally arises, what race or
class of sheep is best adapted to the
wants of this countrys Here the fa-
vorites of the long or short wooled
breeds will each claim the preference
for their several esteemed classes.
The man of the French or Spanish
Merinocs will strongly advocate in
favor Of the superior quality and
quantity of the fleece, whilst those OF
the South Downs, Cotswold, or Blake
Well will assert that they can not only
produce valuable clip Of long wool
but also an animal better adapted for
profit in the way Of feeding for the
butcher. Our opinion is that the
wants of the country demand a class
of sheep that will produce a grade of
wool which can be made into cloth
suited to the wants of our families,
and at the same time afford ami
mails that will supply our markets
with good mutton sheep. As we
have heretofore limited, we again re-
peat it, that there are but few sub
iects that are of more vital Importance
to us in the Northwest, than grow
ing wool and manufacturing here at
home our clothing and bedding, which
constitutes the largest and most i'm
portant part Of our expenditures.
Every farmer should keep from 90 to
100 sheep, at least, and prepare as
much of the wool every year as would
be necessary for his annual stock of
clothing. If such were the fact, we
should see capital coming into our
midst for establishing factories, and
farmers would enjoy the comforts of
warm blankets during the long,
tedious Winter--would wear better
clothes, and save many dollars in their
pockets.