The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-01-22
sheep-WooI or Mutton

Wool or mutton, which? is the question
that many New England farmers ale now
considering. Is it more profitable to intro
duce the improved English mutton, sheep OF
breed early lambs for market, and raise part
OF them for the supply of the mutton market,
or to stock with Merinoes to produce the
line woods to supply the demand Of the man.
ufacturers of wooden goods? The answer to
inquiries of the kind suggested must depend
upon Location and demand. 1t has seemed
to US from observation in New England, that
tue mutton breeds of sheep are growinin in
favor among the farmers; at least, this is so
In certain localities we are quite certain,
while we grant, that in others wool is the
more staple podnction.
In the Western and some of the South
western States, wool, we have not doubt is
more profitable branch of husbandry than
mutton, Notwithstanding Kentucky is and
mas long been famous for its large mutton
sheep in Faneuil Hall Market,-ay, perhaps
most so of any of the United States furnish
ing mutton for that celebrated market.
The Kentucky Liue Stock Record pub
lished in Lexington, KY, one of the bright
est STOCK journals that We have on our ex-
change list, in speakir g OF the best breed of
sheep tor tanners says:
The best sheep Tor farmer to keep are
those that yield the heaviest feeces and the
greatest number OF pounds of mutton. The
scrub sheep yield from to Gibbs. of wool per
head, while Merinoes range between 10 and 20
lbs, and thoroughbred CotswOld even more.
Why is 1t that farmers do not raise the sheep
which give these heavy feeces? Then as to
mutton,t the fine SHEEP produce large amount
OF fesh, and do not eat any more than
scrub. But beside these facts, the well-ored
sheep yield not only larger feeces per head,
but the wool is of superior quality. The
same is true of the flesh of fine-bred sheep in
comparison with scrubs.
Southdowns, for instance, produce the fin
est mutton in the world, always cnmmand-
Ing an extra price-a flesh which princes
desire while the fleece is medium. The
Shropshires stand next in mutton quality,
and are next to Cotswolds in feeces The
profits of these breeds are very great in times
OF ordinary prosperity, and under all circum-
stances it is best for the farmer to breed
them, because they pay better-the grand
result which is the supreme object Of the
farmer-the highest possible remuneration
for his capital and labor.
And all this is true of fine breeds of cattle,
horses, hcgs and poultry. In the face of
these facts, the mass of the people should
ignore scrub stock, and away with their
opposition to the fine breeds. There is one
supreme reason for this. The mass of people
do not read papers devoted to livestock in
terests, and are wholly ignorant of the vast
progress that is making by the more intelli-
gent ranks Of farmers. There are sections of
Kentucky where the improved breeds of
stock are almost unknown. 1t is only small
number of men who are alive to it, and keep
themselves thoroughly informed in regard to
the progress of agricultural science and the
breeding of the best animals, while the
masses remain in the old ruts, following after
the traditions of hundred wears ago. If
farmers would elevate their calling and rem
der it more remunerative, they must put
themselves in communication with the intel
lectual spirit of the age.