Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-03-28
a GRICULTUR AL.
Sheep Raising.

his experience in sheep hassa,lry as fol-
lows -
Having from BOG been accustomed
to sheep and raising The same, and being
much interested in the business, take a
lively interest in everything relating toNthe
subject. think there has oeen no branch
of business. perhaps so much neglected and
SO grossly mismanaged, which might have
been so remunerating and advantageous to
the farmer as sheep. husbandry. Sheep
like all other domestic animals, are capable
of being greatly improved, or can be left
to degenerate and become source of lit.
tie or no profit. My experience teaches me
anything worth keeping, pays to be kept
well, and can be improved greatly from the
original, by julicious and careful manage
ment.
About twelve years ago | purchased a
small stock Of Spanish Merinos in Addison
Co, said 20 be then, recently imported from
Spain (Which think was correctly as they
proved 10 be a far superior breed than any
that had previously seen. They were
large, robust, healthy specimens of sheep.
very fine, thick, and long staple of wool,
free from this yellew glutinous substance,
or gum, which is SO frequently seen in
many of the other breeds of Spanish sheep,
and which is SO objectionable to The manu-
facturrr | have visited most Of the hocks
of Melinos, Of any repute in Vermont and
have as yet found none, that | should be
willing TO exchange for the flock which |
possess. / now have n f1ck of one hun
dred and fifty, sevenly-fve of which are
breeding-ewes, the remainder are young
ewes. with the exception of few bucks
not yet disposed OF. From 6s ewes last
season raised 20 lambs dropp d in April,
with the loss Of none; with an average of
trihe over 81 lbs. Of washed wool per
head the wool being white and clean. !
have not lost sheen by disease. for six
years, my experience has tanglat me to be-
lieve tbar there is no breed of sheen so
well adapted TO orr northern and rigorous
climate, and that pays so well as the pure
blood Spanish.
There have been certainly fonr different
importa,ions of Spanish sheep; these dif-
fer essenii,llv, in form SIZE quality and
quantity If wool they are nevertheless ca
pable O being much improved md brought
70 a state Of perfection thereby rem lerng
them valuable stock. These kinds have
been, to a ar ater Or less ex'eni mixed, ren.
dering il very diiirnl TO Obtain other XII DIS
in their original state.
have some of the Atwood sheep which
lave been more Gently imported; which
I think al excellent sheep. and destined to
become the best sheep that the farmer can
keep. They form an excellent cross. either
wit pure blood or grade sheep.
The question will naturally arise in the
minds Of hose wishing to engage in this
branch Of hnsbandry. which Of those kinds
il is economy to procure or select as breed |
ers. | would simply say those of sound,
healthy constitutions, comely propo tons, OF
pure blood, that will shear the greatest
amount Of clean. white and Il te wool. The
manufacturer does not wish to purchase
three-fonrths oil, grease and dirt at forty or
fifty cents per pon d from the fact that he
can get oil for his machinery n much less
price and better quality. The Ultimate OBJ
ject of farming, as well as any other branch
of business, is profit; in my estimation
there is no business SO profa able at present,
md for many y, ars to come as the raising
of pure blood sheep; our hills and wales of
the Green Mountain and Granite State are
peculiarly adapted TO the production of fhe
finest specimens of sheepthe world affords
and should our national struggles cease and
peace and nrospe ity be again restored, we
shall find our Southern and perhaps some
of our Northern States drained Of almost
every WOODEN fabric, so essential to their
health, comfort AMI prosperity; hence, the
call for sheep to supply the dmand.
In 1860 The rush of Meriao sheep to
Texas from Vermont, was great being
called upon by friend in Texas, to fill an
order for that market and not having enough
to spare from my own flock, had occasion
TO visit many of the best focks Of Vermont.
and almost daily met persons buying for the
same market. This for the present is
closed; but should peace again be restored
that vast channel would again be opened
dor northern enterprise and industry.
a few remarks upon the method man
age my own flock, perhaps may be of adj
vantage 10 those young farmers that are as
yet Inexperienced, and Just commencing
the business. My flock, consisting of $50.
/ keep in summer in three lois breed
ing ewes constitutes one flock, kept by
themselves, near the barn as possible, es,
peeially if the lambs drop after being turned
10 grass, where they remain until sliearing.
Being accustomed to labor shear my sheep
myself, which being 10 me a pleasant lob
take my own time after having shorn a
sheep ! put it by itself until the fleece Is