The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-09-21
A Large Sheep Ranch.

The following account of Texas
sheep ranch we condense from the Cor
pus Christi Times:
Mr.. Geo. Reynolds, an Englshman,
came TO Texas in 1854, but did not be-
gin keeping sheep to any extent until
1868, when he obtained 900 improved.
lie prcempted 100 acres of land at Palo
Nantano, Nueces Co., and moved his
flock there, but has since added to his
farm, until now he owns $4,000 acres,
5000 of which are under fence. Care
full and unremitting attention was fol-
lowed by abundant and substantial pro-
gress. Year by year saw increased
flocks and added acres, with more con-
veniences of every character. lie was
satisfied with comparatively slow pro-
gress for few years, preferring to
grow upon the actual increase of his
ranch, rather than go in debt for any
thing. Every addition to his farm was
paid for in cash; and TO this principle
he has adhered, until now it is his boast
that he has ''never paid dollars inter
est for borrowed money in his life.
Mr.. Reynolds surroundings closely re-
semble one of the cotton plantations on
the lower Mississippi before the war.
There is his dwelling, IA large stone
mansion, with its necessary connec-
tons; adjoining this is school-house
16xlG feet, constructed for the use of
his own children. Within convenient
distance is his stable, a building G0x2j
feet, of lumber, shingled: around this
are sheds and various enclosures for
different purposes. West from his
dwelling house, and within stones
throw and plain view, are five cottages,
well finished, each with good rock
chimney. These cottages are for his
| hired men. Southwest, and about one
hundred yards from his dwelling, has
just been completed shearing house,
70X50 feet, of lumber, and covered with
cypress shingles. 1t is to be floored
with rock, and used for shcaring sheep.
Closely connected with it is to be con-
structed house for storing wool, 70x26
feet. This will be made of rock entire
ly, with iron roof, and firc-proof. The
rock for it is already quarried. Out
houses for all purposes, dipping
troughs, ETC., are in this cluster of build
ings. AT various eligible points on his
land, dwellings for his shepherds have
been put up. These buildings are ten
i'll number, and are movable, but are
large enough for man, his wife and
family.
He has an abundance of water, the
Aqua furnishing permanent supply.
Beside this, four wells, recently sunk
fitted with pumps, supply convenient
water for the scattered tlocks. These
wells, sunk with the "well-borer," are
fifteen inches in diameter, and of vari-
Gus depths. Two large cistcrns, twenty
feet deep and eleven feet in diameter,
furnish water for family supply, Mr..
Reynolds owns 5000 head of higl-grade
sheep. His sons, who live with him,
own 1000 more. Two hundred and
fifty head of fine horse stock and twen-
ty-five head of mules are kept for his
teams and saddle purposes; one hun
dred head of cattle furnish milk and
butter and keep up the stock. Twenty
five men, all with families, are employ
ed as shepherds, drivers, etc.
II costs Mr.. Reynolds between $iOC
and $500 per month to pay the expenses
incurred for various purposes upon this
ranch. His receipts this year are 81,
900 for wool tins spring, $4,000 fol
rams and sheep sold, and his fall crop
of wool will be about $4,000. There is
also the Increase of the flocks, most OF
which are ewes, and the number OF
lambs largely exceeds the number OF
sheep sold. He also has few horses
and cattle to sell each year. His sons
have a good income from their focks in
addition. Mr.. Reynolds attributes lhis
success TO his constant personal atten.
ton to all the details at all times, and
to the fact that he has "made haste
slowly" in accommodating his property