The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1865-03-08
Aarifnltnrals
From the American Agricalturist..
The sheen Mstnfa.


For several years there has Eeen a gradu-
ally increasing interest in sheep raising,
which seems now TO have reached nearly its
height in a mania for paying most extragant
prices for fine wool sheep of different breeds
The rise and course of this nlanis-for such
IL Is nov really amounts to-has been mark
ed by much more more common sense,
practical views, than those which prevailed
when the delicate Saxoue Sleeps sold for 50
much, and infused their next to worthless
blood into most Of the best hoeks in the
country. The exquisite fitness of their
wool had been produced at the expense Of
the constitution Of the breed, and the result
Of this extensive importation and dissemi-
nation of the Saxons in this country was TO
degrade the Mcrino focks, reduce the weight
of the feeces, not increasing the fpepess Ia
proportion, and On the vESie Greatly to dis.
courage the efforts making for the improve
ment Of onr fine wool tiocks. This taken in
connection with the uncertainty of our tar
if laws, was suiiicieat7to bring fine wool
sheep into discrcdit
Now, however, it is very different! 2 A
breed of very great excellence has, been vir-
tually originated among us, and become eE-,
;cnsively disseminated. This breed of
American merinoes we have before repeat
edly alluded to---conbining as il does the
exceilcneies Of the Spanish merino, with
larger size. better form heavier fleece. 1t is
not remarkable that upon the increased de-
mand for wool, and the imitation Of prices
brought about by the war, the trade in sheep
should have received a great impetus. At
the same time almost, one Of our enterpris-
ing breeders obtained at a Worlds Fpir III
Germany the highest prizes for some Of these
same sheep, thus giving them world -wide
reputation, which brought to a certain ex-
tent foreign demand, in addition to great
ly increasing the demand for the American
Merinoes at home We hear Of sales of
rams for $500, $1,000 81, 500, and ewes and
and lambs i'll proportion. 1t is even repor-
ted that Mr. Edwin Hammond, of Vermnat
refused 70 take Sl0,0H for bis ram ''6tl-
den-drCp tA
Many people have taken to sheep raising
who we're entirely ignorant of the business,
and every animal which had the flock of a
Merino and a greasy fleece has had ready
market. II a young man, with good
farm well adapted to sheep culture, with -
free capital Of &50.os9 TO $20G, 900 to- sts-t
in business, and withal having knowledge
of farming, a good business education, and
love for animals, wishes to begin to breed
sheep, with a view to establish flock and
making breeding and improvement OF sheep
a life business. he can afford to pay very
high prices for his original stock, and e6r
such auinlals as he deems peeessary to i'm
prove his flock in any important points,
Others, who breed for the current profits
lres than for ultimate reputation can not at-
ford 10 pay these high prices. They will
never get their n,onoy back, except in tho
cases Of some owher8 Of extensive toeks,
upon which the influence 0f d few rams Of
good quality may be very great -
In vewof the fact that the usa IF we'll
bred males Is the surcSt method Of improv-
ing any Of our domestic animals, it is safe
to assume that there will constantly be de-
mand for for good rams at rniuncrative pri-
ees Sheep raising withing easy reach of
good mar kets ought to have reference TO
them, and to the production Of flesh, rather
han wool f r-.,s ..
he price which the coarser kinds Of sool
have brought the psSt season will impress
this upon sheep breeders. So great has
oeen the demand for certain grades Of coarse
goola that they have brought higher prices
han superior grades of Marno and other
inn woods, and haze met with ii much quick
II and more more advantageous market.
The price Of sheep for slaughter has beer
ugh, keeping pace fully with the cost OF
.oln and lay. 20