The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1877-08-09
Taking Care ofsheep


A correspondent of the Country Gentle
man has the following to say with regard
to the care of sheep:
TIE sheep, from habit, requires ex-
ercise. It IS accustomed to billy and
IrOken lands, and prefers them to the
plain. 1t loves to range and is adapted
to it. Pure air and freedom to range,
with a variety of food feeding, indeed,
on almost anything), are the natural
conditions, and can not be dispensed with
without loss of energy and hardness.
Our sheep, however, are getting less and
less exercise. Instead of foraging during
the winter, as is done in the milder sec
tions of the country, aud to some extent
in the colder, our sheep are housed
closely, especially in such winters as the
last, getting no exercise, with lack of the
fresh air which they are by nature accUs-
toned to, and often fed heavily with
corn. They become plethoric, the ewes
untitled for the duties of maternity, the
system incapacitated, and many obscure
evils making their appearance. Worse,
still, if the other extreme "a lack of
fOod-is permitted. In either case the
sheep is thrown out of its natural course,
and this continues for half OF the year.
The confinement is cruelty, and is sure
to tell. They do better subject to the
cold rains and snow storms with plenty
of food and a chance for shelter, than
with this unnatural confinement.
The true way, that hits exactly the
principle that governs, is to give a
chance both for freedom of ranging and
shelter. In such case it will be found
the storm is sometimes preferred, forage
made if the snow will admit. Even some
shepherds have made paths for this pur-
pose Let it be remembered that it is
not only fresh air that is required, but
exercise. The sanitsry condition of our
stock should be a first principle, good
treatment sustaining it, not the mer,
crowding with foed but attending to the
various requirements which nature or
health indicates.
With respect to shelter left op nal
with the sheep, it will be found chat
roOminess, with good air and light j, an
inducement to occupation, while close
quarters arc viewed with shyness and
suspicion. Who does not know that
sheep will often suffer out in the storm
rather than enter close, confined place
This same principle rejects the massinp
together of many sheep. They love to
be herded, but spread over a great ex-
tent of territory, or what seems preferable,
disposed in small groups. This certainly
has been found to be the most advanta-
geous, especially for the larger breeds OF
sheep, which originally were less accus-
toned to large breeding, and also require
more attention. A few sheepof the long
wool kinds kept properly are found to be
the most profitable, and should be Dos
sessed by every or almost every farmer.
They yield ready money in summer from
the sale of their lambs and wool. This and
thrifty, fine appearance ought to be an in
dUcement to secure (if no more) u or Is
head of ewes, the male a superior sheep,
as he will beIif well kept. In this way a
first class stock may be constantly on the
farm, realizing a yearly income which.
if not large, yet gives a large per cent.
OF the profit; and it Is this increase of
profit on the investment in the different
departments that make farming profitable
As many of these should be carried as
possible, or as are at least, convenient.
The great success in life is the beginning
with little, and working up---exPauding.
The farmer has the advantage of many
departments, each Of'which is a nucleus
for expansion if occasion favors, which the
experienced cuitivatOr knows how to
take advantage Of Thus, from a few
sheep, large fiocks have originated, max
ing sheep raising the principal thing, cir
cumstances favoring it, So any one