The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-12-04
THE COTSWOLD SHEEP.
Letter from Judge Drury.

EDITOR RoCK.IsLAND ARGUS, Dear Sir -
| was pleased TO notice, in your issue OF w ed
nesday, that Mr.. Conkling. of Edgington IL, had
recently Brought to this county, from New
York, a small lot of Leicester sheep. Mr..
Conkling has started in the right direction,
and, with care, will soon realize the value of
his purchase. If he had procured the Cots
void breed, think, however, that he would
have done still better.
The Cotswolj and Leicester are much alike
both large and both long-woOled, but the
Cotswold are the better mutton sheep, and
better rangers.
There are two objects in raising sheep; one
the wool, and the other, the mutton. Now,
if we can unite both qualities in one animal,
then we may conclude we have the right
kind. The Cotswold unite both qualities;
| they yield a very heavy heece-irOm eight to
| twenty pounds; they are superior NUT
ton sheer, having very heavy carcass weigh
ing from two to three hundred pounds. and |
have read of bucks of this breed weighing
three hundred and fifty pounds.
The difference between the two breeds as
| to mutton is this the Leicesters take on
their fat in folds or layers, while the fat OF
the Cotswold is distributed through the flesh;
| and for this reason the latter are more valued
for mutton. In other respects the two are
very much alike, but the quality of the NUT
ton must be a great consideration among
mutton eaters.
For fine wool, the Merino stands first, but
it Is almost worthless for mutton. The South
downs are the best for mutton, but are al
most worthless for wool, they yield only
from two and half to three and half
pounds of common wool. They have also a
very small carcass, weighing about one hun
dred pounds.
Now. the Cotswold sheep furnish as good
mutton and twice the quantity; and they
yield three times the amount of wool. The
wool, too, Is worth more In the market. The
Cotswold wool is from eight to twelve inches
long and not fine. 1t is only recently that the
great value of this wool has been developed.
1t is worth now in England one dollar and
twenty cents per pound, and manu- tactur-
ers are eager to purchase.
The above statements being true, there can
be no doubt that the Cotswolds are the Uest
sheep for the western farmer, as q source of
profit. We all wish to raise those animals
which will yield the largest profit; and
farmers will find, by trying the experiment.
that raising sheep will be the most remuner-
alive operation they can engage in.
As you noticed Mr.. CoDkhng's purchase, a
friend has requested me 20 state what have
done in the sheep line. Judge Grant and
myself have recently imported from Canada
a small flock of pure Cotswolds. Judge
Grant had TO make two trips to Canada 10
get them. and found it difficult TO obtain any.
On account of the advance in the price of this
wool, there is q great rush, from the states TO
Canada. after these sheep. They are held at
a high figure and. of course, have TO be paid
for in gold. | have now twenty-One of them /.
on my farm. 1t IS Iny inten ton 10 keep no /
other kind, but TO maintain the breed pure. |
had hoped that some person would intro /
duce this breed # sheep IL this county a. | /
am convinced they are the profitable sheep |
for the western farmers but a. no one else 1
seemed willing TO make the experiment, | .
have had 10 do it myself. hope others may /
be induced 10 venture little in the same |
way.
There is one other remark, which | find, |
in works of shesp-hus bandry, that | should |
make about this breed of sheep. 1t is that. /
they very hardy aud very polite; both /
very important qualities.
l write the above, before said, at the /
request of friend, and hope it may excite a |
little emulation among our western farmers /
in this matter of heep-raising. | am conf |
dent that they will find 1t very profitable, and |
an easy way to make money.
J. W. DRURY.
Rock Island, Dec lst. 1865
p! S.-Since. writing the above. l cut the /
following from the Prairie Farmer of Dec |
ID:
f'COtsWOid sheep.
wv. p. p, of Towanda, sends us the |
weight of seven Cotswold sheep owned by /
W. K. Duncan of that place, as follows: To- |
tai, seven head. 1896 lbs; l two year old |
buck, pa lbs, two year old eve, go lbs : |
vaarlipr huck 1eD Lbs -