The Portland daily press., 1876-04-03
Keen Few Sheen.

Aeep Few Sneep.
Rotation in crops is necessity 70 the high
est success in farming; and grazing, or the
raising and feeding OF forage crops, not SO as
to crowd or interfere with each other, ana
you are sure of success with some, usually the
greater part, sometimes all, and never iall-
ure of all /; particularly in market prices, bnt
also more or less in production, as the farmer
must, indeed be an unfortunate one II all MS
crops and all that he does fail. Such farm
er is not TO be counted, as he Will soon, from
necessity, be out of the business. Garry all
the parts possible, or as many as possible, but
chiefly, as have said, grazing, or the growth
and use of forage crops. Do this to enrich
the land in natural way, as we may say,
with the expense of special manuring-the
fertility being mainly obtained from the great
storehouse-the atmosphere. The land thus
is not only enriched, but it rests; the frost,
the heat and the warm rains mellowing and
preparing it the better, mechanically and
otherwise, for the crops that are to follow.
The benefit of the dairy upon land is well
known; so is the keeping of stock in general
But particularly is this the case with sheep.
They will do what other stock cannot accom-
plish; occupying places inaccessible to other
stock, and thrive, keeping down weeds and
wood growths in word, they are the true
scayengers of the farm, as the hog is OF the
precincts of the buildings. Many farms it is
almost impossible to carry on without sheep;
the land you'd otherwise lie waste; and we
| find this too frequently the case. But aside
from this, sheep may be kept with advantage
on almost any farm-much more than is the
case now-not that much more wool and
mutton need be raised, but more general
equalization and distribution, which would
result in the reduction of the larger to smaller
focks; but especially should it be so arranged
that all, or nearly all, may keep sheep, even
though the number be quite limited. Now,
it is known that few sheep can be better
kept than many. 1t is on the same principle
that a "single'' COW does better than the
same COW in herd. 1t gives chance for
attention. A dozen sheep, or even less, can
| farm; and on large farm they may be made
the nucleus for a larger number, for there is
nothing like "growing into thing'' from a
''small beginning"
A dozen good ewes, large and long.wooled,
will be sure to give you, with ordinary care,
the same number of lambs; and the chances
are, with proper attention, that the number
may be nicely increased. The necessary care
given to your sheep, they will be strong
and healthy, and produce you similar lambs,
so that you need lose none, and can raise
superior lot-and it is known what a superior
lot of lambs raised from superior lot OF
sheep is. 1t merns ready sale, and at high
rates-the rate depending upon the location
of the market, and the access to the market;
but generally good price may be realized,
cash in hand, and when most needed, in
summer. Good, large breeders may be ex-
pected to bring two lambs AMI rails them;
l this is not uncommon.
There are cases where the whole number of
small flock have done this; and the lambs
will be good ones where the mothers are
strong and well-kept, and the feed for both
lambs and mothers is plenty and nutritious.
Then the sheep are in good condition when
| they go into the pasture, and are kept good
| by plenty of grass alone where there is thick
| set on well drained soil, and better If on up
land. In such case the wool will correspond,
| the two sources realizing an income that will
| pay in the worst of times, and proportionally
better in the best, so that here a profit. and
| generally good one, may be relied upon.
| There is good chance to take care OF the
| sheep when they are few; no crowding, no
| interfering. Each one gets its full measure,
| and satisfactorily. Winter quarters can easily
| be provided feed troughs, &C., and the feed
properly and economically prepared. Per
haps the cheapest-and certainly it is the
best-feed is tender clover hay, well cured.
Sheep will also thrive on aftermath. An oc.
casional feed OF roots, regularly given, will
keep up, in a measure, the summer condi-
| ton. Where needed, little grain will bring
up sheep. For this oats are excellent.
| But sheep will eat almost anything in the
line OF stock feed. and may thus be petted and
favored to advantage. Thus, q dozen sheep
may be made to bring, in ready money, from
| $50 to 500 and more yearly, with compare
| lively little trouble, and that not of an I'M
pleasant kind. Remember the land is en-
| riched by them wherever they are, and the
more they consume the more they enrich it;
they clean it OF foll growth by way of variety
in their feed, doing this, besides their COM
panionship; and the company of sheep ought
TO be worth something in the influence it ex-
erts. A few sheep may be kept where there
| is dairy. Multiply the small focks and
| take care of them, and they will bring you a
| good income and steady one.-Countfy
| Gentleman.