, 1864-04-30
Sheep Husbandry.
From the ". y. HorM.l

will almost pay for their Keeping. lhey
are in the highest degree useful in the extir.
patton from pastures and new tracts, OF
briers, bushes, and noyious weeds, and the
introduction of nutritious and desirable
grasses. They consume this coarse vegeta.
t,on with avidi:y, and will in a season or
two totally cxtirpate 1t from a lot of ordi.
nary dimensions. ] can recall m instance
within my own observation which strikingly
illustrates this view. An extensive pasture
range had been occupied for many years
by neat cattle on a dairy farm. 1t origin.
aiIy afforded the choicest feed; but, from
reasons to which will soon advert, the fine
grasses had become totally extinct. and been
succeeded by rank growth Of johnswirt
and other pernicious and annoying weeds.
Sheep were substituted for the cattle, and
in two years there was scarcely trace Of
this noxious vegetation, but the whole
range was rnantled in luxurious growth
of white clover. 1t is proper to remark
here, that in these assaults upon johnswirt
by sheep they should be turned into the
lot infested in early spring, when the plant
first appears. 1t will soon become too rank
and woody for their feeding, and in that
state is often highly injurious.
The fecundity Of sheep is equaled by few
other domestic animals. From small be.
ginning large flock may be rapidly accumu.
lated. Sheep are available for their flesh
from the period when they arc few weeks
old to extreme age, and If they die the loss
is comparatively triaing In comparison with
other stock. The pelts, or wool, secure from
every loss except the flesh.
Another decided advantage in the keeping
Of sheep results from the brief period IN
which they require exclusive feeding in the
yard, and the great economy in their fod-
dering, in comparison with other stock.
They delight to range in the fall and early
winter, and will procure comfortable sub.
sistence long after most other animals
should be housed. In the spring also they
love 10 roam, browsing upon evergreen and
the succulent boughs and sprouts Of bushes,
and cropping the early and tender grass
long before other stock Is able to feed upon
it. The aromatic buds and juicy tyigs oi
the season afford their choicest food. The
judicious keeper will render any apparent
deficiency in this supply BY grain or other
nourishing feed. am aware that many
theorists will object to this practice. They
belong 10 the same class as those who op.
pose the grazing Of meadows in autumn,
aud insist, In opposition 10 the dictates Of
the animal appetites and tho provisions Of
nature, that cattle should be restrained 10
the spring to their yards until the pastures
afford an ample feed. The instincts Of ami.
inals are wiser than tho speculations Of the
Dry; God has impaired them for their com
fort and safety.
The relative cheapness OF the fodder con-
genial 20 sheep is worthy Of consideration
IN the view Of the subject which am at
tempting to present. The higher qualities
Of bay are not particularly adapted to them.
They prefer that which Is incorporated with
bushes, ferns, and dbrakes. Neat cattle and
horses reject and trample under foot fodder
which is greedily consumed by sheep. They
may be constantly seen selecting from CO.
yer and held's grass coarse brakes and
bpshe, bearing bruad leaves, and contend ng
for their enjoyment. They will also thrive
on pea and buekwheaf straw and tho haulms
Of beans as q partial substitute for hay.
The boughs Of the pine, especially the pitch
pine, afford Q fodder both healthlul and nu.
tritious 70 them. have already alluded
to the utility Of sheep IN reference to their
value as auSillaries subduing now land, and
ject demands some further impartina fcftil.
ity tothe soil; but the subject demands
some further suggestions. No process for
eradicating briersand bFambIss or any other
brush within their reach Is so rapid in its
effects or 80 economical as TO subject the
land 70 The clearing and reDovatiug action
Of sheep-grazing. The worthless vegetation
is not only destroyed, but, In the progress
Of the Improvement, the earth will be
clothed with the choicest herbage. White
clover always springs up along the track
This effect Is caused primarily BY the
close bfows ng Of sheep but the iertilizine
Of thesoil, and the Introduction Of fnutfftive
grasses, are produced BY tho peculiar quail.
ity and copiousness Of their excfementary
deposits. They scatter their excrements
not only in great profhslon, but uniformly
over the whole surface. This habit imparts
a ageneral fertility 70 the soil The seeds
Of the noxious weeds they feed upon are
totally dIgested, and every terminating
principle is destroyed. Consequently such
vegetation Is extirpated. This Is the reno
vatlnHg and clearing effect produced by
sheep grazing upon land.
Horses and cattle ranging upon the clean.
esC pastures effect d result totally different.
They deposit their evacuations III large
masses Tie seeds Of plants they contain
arc uudigesfed and ready 70 veeetate The
dung lermens and destroys al vegetation
where i rests, while II Communicates q
rank fertility 70 the spots. Upon these,
tender grasses refuse to grow, but in their
place coarse and rank hefbage luxuriates.
Such was the cause and result Of the con.
ditioh of tho dairy pasture ] have men
tioned. ta3 s1sa N .ss,,s.s;i. 10. a.s3a 4
Sheep afEsrd a more abundant return Of
manure for The fodder consumed than any
other stock, and Of a more valuable char
acter for most cultivated crops. The fhnc-
tions Of their stomach, which destroy al.
most every yegetative property in their
food, removes al danger Of communicating
the seed Of noxious plants to The soil.
In forming our judgment 10 reference TO
fhe nrufik and utiiifv If shaa. ,,.,t. t.,:.... a..