Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-03-03
Thoroughbred Stock.

Al hJ ihrt tCOthWuuicatIUa on tniS suU~
ject l spoke of ridiculous crosses and
characterised as such the cross of a me-
rino buck with mutton variety Of ewes.
Such cross would certainly improve the
wool 10 fineness and perhaps in quantity,
but it would lessen the number and size
of the lambs, and as sheep are usually
kept for profit few examples will be
more convincing than pages of mere thes
ory: sT
Mr.. VIM. A. Green of Irasburgh, has
flock of large sheep from which he, last
June, sold three for $50 his lambs av-.
eraged three to every two breeding ewes,
which be sold at from four to five dollars
each; the clip of wool averaged over five
pounds per head the increase therefore
from one eve that raised twin lambs can
be figured thus NJ
2 lambs at $3.50 each, 5000
5 lbs. wool at rs cts, 3,75
1915
r. S. Howard of Irasburgh, has flock.
some Of which are past their prime, and
from which the lambs have been sold for
several years bis flock the past year has
yielded him an average of seven dollars
each, and some an income of $12. This
was the income when mutton sold far be-
low its present market price, which is 10
to IA cts, live weight.
These are not exceptional flocks; there
are many such five or six sheep yield
ing as much profit as cow, and with far
less labor.
Now will it be profitable 10 cross these
sheep with a merino? The result will be
first to lessen the productive power of the
sheep TO one lamb. The merinos are not
prolific, and such cross would produce
flock with characteristics resembling the
merino rather than the coarse wooled
sheep. We might therefore estimate the
income as one third less for lambs and
ten per cent. gain in price on the wool,
and il we can judge of such an imagin-
ary flock by comparing it to existing ones
of fine wooled sheep, the income will be
on an average less than.fve dollars each.
If the high prices of thoroughbred me-
rinos tempt one to make such cross in
hopes of realizing the same he will be
for he will have neither ex.
ira sheep fer mutton nor for wool, and
do not bring the highest price
as breeders.
We are told by the department of Ag,
riculture that the production of meat does
not keep pace with the increase of pop
nlation. Such being the case il would
seem 10 be wise TO pay more attention to
raising mutton sheep, for by thus doing
the farmer receives the benefit of high
prices for both wool wool and meat, and
{ either is depressed he can rely upon
he other.
1t would greatly add to the profits Of
he breeders of mutton sheep if they
would raise them for their mutton. This
hey do not try to do. They raise lambs
md sell them, but full grown fat sheep
hat sells at price corresponding to that
eceived by Mr.. Green, is more the re-
ult of chance than Of design. This
hould be reversed; stall feeding should
,e practiced store sheep would soon be-
,ome the best of mutton, and then we
hould SEQ the farmers of New England
,aining wealth as fast and having as fer
ile farms as the farmers Of England who
,reed ,he thoroughbred mutton sheep to
he entire exclusion of the merino.
As the desire to obtain thoroughbred
nimals is rapidly increasing, the neces.
ity Of obtaining and preserving pedi-
rees and warrants is appreciated, they
ave value that none can disregard
fithout loss, as those who are now start.
1g hocks and herds will find when they
esire to dispose of their surplus stock,
nd it is generally safe to doubt the word
seller who afirus that pedigree is
no consequence, as anybody can write
ne.
You will see, Mr.. Editor, that I ad~
auce my opinions on various subjects
onnected with agriculture, with boldness,
ecause your paper is read by large
Ass of intelligent farmers who are able
expose any fallacy or false reasoning
lat may utter, and they have stand
9 offer from you to do so through its
edium. Ii is hoped that no error will
, unrebuked. u
2. f. JAMESON.
Irasburgh, March l, 1865.
TrrT IN CwrNr the animals