The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-02-27

lowing the interest on the sos first re-
ceived 10 pay for shearing. tagging,
etc. The question leave for solution,
is, which has cost the most i'm time and
feed, the twenty-five sheep or the four
steers? Never having demonstrated an
experiment of the kind myself, am un-
able TO say, but from general knowl-
edge and observation shoaid think
them about equal. another point in
favor Of sheep is they do not usually
die in debt to the farmer, for we see
from above calculations that they are q
sort of pay-as-you-go investment,
which system ought to have q promi-
nent place in all business transactions.
In this county we recognize two dis
tinct classes OF sbeep--the fine woods
and the long or combing woods. The
former have greatly the advantage in
numbers, and both are valuable for
wool and mutton. When wool is the
first consideration, the fine woods, in
my Judgment, have the preference,
but when mutton is the object sought,
from the early maturity and larger
growth Of the long woods. they may
take the front rank. Each is merito-
rious and entitled 10 the attention OF
the farming community.
/ wish TO say few words nj this
time in reference to the practice OF
washing sheep, and to enter my pro-
test against IT. 1 acknowledge that
have heretofore washed my sheep, in
view OF the fact that the one-third rule
OF shrinkage on all unwashed heeces
did not give me what would be enti-
tied To for my wool il unwashed. When
woel shall be bought strictly upon its
merits, as other commodities are, aud
the producer aud manufactures come
to understand each other, with mu-
tual regard for the interests OF both,
and competent agents are employed
that can and will distinguish and COM
pare the relative value OF all wool,
whatever its condition may be, with a
fixed standard Of wool, then the wash
ing process will no longer be deemed q
necessity. All woods, however well
washed, 90 through securing process
by the manufacturer. There are va
rious reasons for discarding the wash.
ing theory. III done early in May IL
endangers the health Of man and beast
from the cold state OF tho water at that
time. II put of till the first OF june II
brings the sheaSing to late. for usually
from fifteen to twenty days time needs
elapse between the time OF washing
and shearing that the wool may becoms
fabricated with the animal oil, giving
il the luster and brilliancy desirable
and TO mako it weigh well withal. The
poor animals arc thus compelled to car
ry their heavy fieeoss in the month O.
June, to their great inconvenience, ant
then in turn to suffer for want OF {
portion of it in early winter. Will
the same propriety a man might weal
his fiannels, and overcoat well button
ed up, in the hot weather of June, an'
then stick TO his cotton or linen gar
ments in frosty weather in the month
of November. The wool on fashiona
: bly-bred merino ewes OF the presen
day, with wrinkles, folds aud hange
about the tail and back part of tn
thighs, though tagged and washes
: with the greatest care. will frequently
: ia the warm, wet weather OF June, be
/. come tainted, and flies are induced Il
+ deposit their eggs, from which grea
inconvenience and trouble arise. Sheel
/ thus besieged must be attended TO n
, once. They can he distinguished fror
} others of the flock by their repeate'
} though Intellectual efforts TO dislodg
, their tormentors which have taken rel
| uge under the thick wool and betwee
| the wrinkles. Sheep sheared early II
: the season will take care of themselve
in this respect. This is not all. Health
3 sheep are exposed to contagious dis
: eases by being yarded where atfecte
r ones have been, and again injuries M
I frequent, especially il handled by II
e experienced workmen; and still anotl
: er reason for abandoning the practic
Q is the fact that sheep are often drive
: one or two miles over dusty road:
1 with their wool wet, TO which the du'
e readily adheres. But what II 1t doe
D they have been washed, aud the WOO
4 buyer must distinctly understand !
e Sheep should be we'll tagged before L
q ont TO grnss in the spring; should !
O sheared i'm the month Of May; shoul
4 be housed for few nights and the
Il turned away TO pasture, snd IN a fe
Il weeks time will be in q much bett'
l. condition than il compelled to carr
q their neeces 10 the middle or last
l. June. The difference in value p
u pound between wool thus handled al
|. that washed and treated IA above d
n scribed, il very slight. | trust I'll
e time is not far distant when all inte
:, ested in these matters will see thinS
4 in true light.
v With regard TO the general usefu
s ness of the class OF domestic anima
p under consideration but little need
y said, as il il pretty well known tn
s they furnish the material from whi'
a. millions of human beings are cloth,
a during n considerable portion OF q
N year. All nations, outside the TORI
a zone, are dependent upon them. The
Ia flesh also furnishes n vast muititu'
le with wholesome food, and the she
ID herds vocation is a happy one.
d notice that the executive board
" the state agricultural society, at
z meeting recently held ut jackson, ma
ir provision for thoroughbred class
Is sheep, to be shown at our state fan
Z This movement, in connection with u
,d agitated question Of establishing q m
u rino sheep breeding register, will ha
n tendency to induce breeders to 10
IN well to the origin OF their breedi
40 stock.
- IL is a question with me whether
- not the sheep breeders aud wool gro
r ers Of Michigan are doing as much
. they might 10 carry forward the wa
~ Of this branch OF our united industri'
Other states around us have their We
n growers and sheep breeders assoc
- tons, and claim to profit by the
Could not the farmers of our state,
- properly organized, do as well?
=, would be happy at any time TO coo
~ crate with my fellow farmers 10 a
ba feasible plan that might be introduc
s for the advancement Of correct prin
n Piles in sheep breeding and wool gro
20 20 ing in our great and prosperous sta
,d
ne