Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-03-07
LOWER WATERFORD FARMERS
CLUB.

IKE 10 care Tor thcm l have never had
sheep that have not done well, and paid well
for keeping. The flock that have has been
kept on the farm and pastured in the same
pasture for great many years, it being the
same that my father had when he died. They
were good flock when took them; they
are II grade; having kept the best eve lambs
and then introducing new bucks. seldom
using the same buck more than two years.
We have had the Bakewell Leicester. South
down, Cotswold, &c, the last cross being the
Cotswold. l might speak Of the various
breeds of sheep ms the Cotswold, Southdown,
Leicester, Merino, &C., and they all have
their good qualities and uses, and il a farmer
makes sheep raising a specially, and keeps
large focks, no doubt the Merinos are the
best for him, but as l pursue what we call
mixed husbandry and keep small focks,
prefer the coarse woods.
Emery Hovey: What kind of grain do you
feed and how muchP
ii. Ross: do not give much grain.
A. b. Carpenter 1 would ask Mr.. Ross
what time you have your lambs come?
H. Ross; Usually the last of April or first
of May. | usually raise more lambs than |
have owe sheep. This year from Al sheep |
raised IS lambs, fifteen wethers. | sent to
market by Mr.. CALVIN Brown. They aver
aged so lbs. each, dressed weight lacking
one pound on the whole lot, and sold for IL
cents per III. The pelts sold for 81 each or
about $3.50 per head. My sheep average
four or five pounds Of wool per head, and
sold it Tor 60 cents per ID. 1 have turned
from my sheep $3.50 the past year, and have
the same number of sheep, and in as good
condition rs they were year ago.
A. b. Carpenter am in favor of the Me-
rino, so that do not expect my views to he
popular in this meeting. The coarse wool
sheep will do to talk about, but when you
come to the figures they are in favor Of Me-
rino can keep three Merinos rs cheaply
MS one coarse wool and are more hardy.
never have seen Mr.. Ross sheep, but must
stand hy the Mcrino. They will shear more
wool and it commands better prices even in
these times. Since the war coarse wool has
been in better demand but the time is soon
coming when there will be II better demand
for fine wool. read of man who sheared
IS lbs from one buck. but II seemed big
story. In 1863 bought $50 sheep, and run
In debt for them, and in one year had rs
sheep left clear of all expense. believe in
grades. The wool of the Merinos Is very
thick. and by crossing with coarse wool it
improves the quality, but some object to it
and was told it would be failure, but |
raised all but two lambs although there were
no twins. turn my buck out the 18th of
December. This cross with the Cotswold
averaged Z lbs. per head, which sold to Mr.
Wilbur, at West Concord. for 90 cents per
10. | am in favor of putting coarse wool
buck with fine wool ewes rather than cross
ing the other way.
Charles Ross How far would you carry
the cross?
A. Ii. Carpenter: Not more than three
fourths. There is an impression tho fine
wool sheep are not good mixers, hut think
like the Attorney cows it is much richer and
lambs thrive faster. In my first experience
got nearly discouraged, hut finally got a
coarse wool buck, and | came out all right.
! This year could have sold my lambs for SO
per head, but they were not for sale.
! Charles Ross | feel ts though | better
keep still after hearing those sheep kings
talk. have never kept more than 25 Mt Il
| time, and people would ASK why we kept fine
wool sheep, but the sheep have answered
the question themselves for four years past
| We have sold our wool to Mr. Bacon 81
| ST. Johnshury Center. and he pronounced il
very nice and hard to heat. They shear OF
an average @ lbs. per head. This year from
| 81 sheep we have cleared $l52, and our flock
| is in AS good condition as it was year ago
| SAW II statement in the Tribune from Mr.
Geddes in favor of breeding in and in, bu
my experience Is contrary to this. This yeal
! had FIVE yoarings that had lambs by ;hcil
own sire in excellent condition, and had nice
large lambs, hut every one died think il
order to have sheep do well they should have
II large range even If there is feed enough
We turn out our buck from the LIST to thu
10th of November. and feed him some corr
before turning out, also give the ewes oat
when having their lambs. | think ii yer.
important that they be sheltered from COLI
storms in the fall and early winter.
Emery Hovey: My experience in keeping
sheep Is quite limited. Some four az fiv,
years ago | went to Littleton, n. H., ant
bought 90 sheep for which | paid - pc
head. Sometime in the winter Bella Hasting
was in my yard, and sold him all the lamb
! should raise the coming season for IS each
These were Lcicesters, and believe nj
things considered they are the hest. Ever
sheep raised lamb and two raised twins
! sold my wool for 50 cents per Id. am il
favor of coarse wool sheep for the same rea
son that | am in favor of Durham cattle
they are good for something and are alwny
ready sale | disagree with MIR. Carpente
about keeping them for believe can kee
them as cheapas Merinos, and they are NOR
quiet and peaceable in the pasture.
r. Humphrey: | have lived in section
where the Merinos were kept and thin
they are like the Morgan horses, that is the
are the hardest and toughest and very hest
| think the Atwood sheep the best, but 20
don't want the little black, greasy kind
Farmers who make such speciality ant
manage intelligently, got rich.
Charles Ross think the trouble has bee
In fine wool sheep. that they were bred l
and In too much and they run to spindl
shanks, but men who have imported thel
bucks have done well. | think there is
healthier sentiment now than formerly;
, used to he that they bred for yolk,
A. Is. Carpenter; 1 have ear marks o
each of my sheep with It's number recorded
, SO that know the age of each one, weigh
, of fleece each year, SO that | can dispose {
the least profitable ones. can furnish III
ear marks 10 any who might wish them /
, cost had coarse and fine wool lambs ru
> together, and while the coarse wool sheare
, four pounds the fine sheared seven
. IL. Ross My experience in breeding
4 and in is like Chas. Ross, Last year ha
I five yearling ewes that had lambs by the
/ own sire, and lost every one, when ordin,
4 To- -