Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-06-13
The Best Breed of Sheep.

There is much difference OF opinion
on this subject, but no one need hesitate
long in deciding on the question, for all
the pure breeds of the present day have
so many good qualities that their relative
excellence is only a matter of opinion
and taste, and instead of consulting with
one another to gain grounds for decision
as to which of them is the best, any man
may as we'll humor his own fancy, and
commence with the breed whose appear
ance he likes best.
Of course there are considerations
which should have some weight in decid-
ing ones selection. One farmer, for
instance, may have an extensive noun
tain range so broken that much activity
is required in getting about after the
heritage on a great part. OF 1t, while
another may have a good deal OF rich
bottom1ands, with pasture so abundant
as to require very little movement. In
such cases the man with the high land
could not do better than choose that
good old South Down, while the other
choice to fall on the Cotswolds, Lincolns,
or the Leicesters.
Where mutton and wool are the great
desideratum, the owner having no inten-
ton of raising or breeding rams to be
sold at fancy prices, it would be advisable
that the ewes should be grades of good,
common stock; then rams Of the desired
breed, should be used, and pure-bred
rams only should be employed on the
Young ewes of the next generation.
Thus, step by step, well-bred animal
will be attained, which is really very
easy matter.
Where the sheep have to range good
deal, and there is browsing and climbing
to seek for heritage, a pure Southdown
ram would be preferable to any other,
as that breed is decidedly the most
active of the mutton breeds, and will
prosper where the heavier breeds
would do no good unless they had some
feed given them daily.
The breed Of sheep for any man to get
is the one best adapted for the pasture
and for the treatment to which they Will
be subjected. And whatever breed may
be selected. it will pay to feed them well
whenever the season is sufficiently adj
vanced to require it; and however hardy
the Downs may be, and however little
extra feeding they may subsist on, still ii
is the fact that it will pay to feed them
literally, as there are three sources OF IN
creased profit arising from the single
cost of grain, oilcake, or whatever Is
given, Viz: more mutton, more wool,
and better manure.
Nor is this all, for every business man
knows that mutton and WOOL from we'll
fed, ripe sheep, bring more per pound,
SO that to the increased quantity of meat
and wool there should be added the
profit of a cert or two per pound, while
the wool is also Of better quality IN pro-
portion to the condition of the sheep.
Then again, as an additional inducement
to feed literally with stimulating food,
it should be borne in mind that much
less hay is eaten in winter, if other food
is used. Many people, however, are SC
careless in thought as to charge the
whole cost of grain, meal, or oilcake
making no allowance for the hay saved
and for the richer manure.
Not only are the above advantages
gained by good feeding, but there is still
another result of great importance tt
follow the high feeding of young stock
| refer to early maturity and quick re
turns. Owing to this practice IN Eng
land, yearling wethers, called tegs, are