New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-04-04
ST. TAMNANY PARISH.
Its Advantages for Stock Raising.
COyINCr0N March % 1874

CONVICTION, March 3d. 1874.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN:
Since my last have been looking into
the cattle aud sheep raising business over
here. and find that there are few countries
which have superior natural advantages.
The grasses are plentiful and nutricious all
the year round, the range almost imitless,
and the climate all that could be desired, as
the weather is never severe enough in win
ter to make housing cattle or sheep ,neces-
sary. Cattle may be counted upon to
double in quantity every three years in st.
Tammany, while sheep, by their increase
and wool production, pay profit of over
one hundred and fifty per cent per annum.
1t is to sheep raising particularly that
would direct the attention of your read
ers, because there is less risk attending this
business, less money required to commence
it and the profits are realized more rapidly
in cash.. First qualities of breeding cattle
require acclimating, which is risky at the
best, cost larger sums of money and require
close attention to keep them from deterior-
ating, while the ordinary native sheep of
this country, stock of which can be bought
at any time at very moderate prices, are as
good as any man will want, as their wool is
fine and brings the highest price in market
being the quality known as ''lake" wool
the flesh superior for flavor and delicacy,
and as the food being plentiful at all sea-
sons they thrive and breed rapidly. requir-
ing little attention.
There is hardly location in this parish
which is unadapted to sheep raising, and it
does not require large outlay of capital
either in stock or land for man to COM
mence. Only a few acres of land will suf-
fee for the necessary inclosure for the
erection of sheds for shelter in inclement
weather. as the range is free all around,
and there are no wolves or other animals to
destroy them. One man can easily attend
to thousand sheep. and when the shearing
season comes, assistance for this labor is
easily to be had at reasonable prices. The
only enemy the sheep has in this parish is
the dog, but it is a generally accepted theory
that dog convicted Tor even suspected) of
killing sheep may be killed on sight, no
matter how valuable he may be. The pop
ulation have great reverence for the rights
of property in these animals, and although
it is the custom for them to range free, still
sheep OF cattle stealing is rare offense,
which is never committed with impunity,
whatever laxity there may be in regard to
other crimes.
have questioned many persons who have
raised sheep in this region, and the result of
the investigation has convinced me that at
least one hundred and fifty per cent per an
mum can certainly be made without much
labor. Good stock sheep can be bought at
about 1925 to $3.50 per head. Their teeces
average about two and half pounds, and
the females bear from one to two young
each year. The wool brings in the New Or
leans market forty to forty-fve cents per
pound, as it is fine, long staple and free
from trash and burs. Persons who engage
in this business over here generally farm as
well; but it appears to me that the busi-
ness could be made much more profitable
were it entered into as its importance would
as specially. 1t does not require
as great an outlay of capital as farming, is
far lighter and pleasanter work, and pays
a larger and more certain profit. FAB: