The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1878-06-21
Care of sheen,

exercise. IL Is accustomed 10 nllIl
aud broken lands, and prefers
them to the plain. It loves t,
range, aud is adapted to it. Pnr,
air and freedom to range, with ;
variety of food Feeding, indeed
on almost everytlIing), are the ma
tural conditions, and cannot be dis
pensed with without loss of energy
and hardness. Our sheep, how
ever are getting less and less cxer
else. Instead of foraging during
the winter, as is done in the mildeI
sections of the country, aud Il
some extent in the colder, ouI
sheep are housed closely, getting
no exercise, with lack OF fresh all
which they are by nature accus.
toned to, and often fed heavily
with corn. Thay become plethoric,
the ewes united for the duties OF
maternity, the system incapacita.
ted, and many other evils making
their appearance. Worse, still, il
the other eXtreme-the lack OF
fOOd--is permitted. In either case
the sheep is thrown out of it's ma.
tural course, and this continues for
half of the year. The confinement
is Il 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 contine-
ment.
The true way, that hits exactly
the principle that governs, is to
give a chance both for freedom of
ranging and for shelter. In such
a case it will be found the storms
is sometimes preferred, and forage
made if the snow will admit. Even
some shepherds have made paths
for this purpose. Let it be emem-
bered that it is not only fresh air
that is required, but exercise. The
sanitary condition of our stock
should be II first principle, good
treatment sustaining it, not the
mere cfowding with food, but at
tending to the various require.
mcnts which nature or health indi.
Gates.
With respect to shelter left op,
tiOnal with the sheep, it will be
found that rOominess with good air
and light is an inducement to occu.
patton, while close quarters are
viewed with shyness and suspicion.
Who does not know that sheep will
often suffer out in the storm rather
than enter a close, confined place!
This same principle rejects the
massing together of many sheep.
They love to he herded, but spread
great extent Of territory, or
what seems preferable, disposed in
small groups. This certainly has
been found to be the most advant-
ageous, especially for the larger
breeds OF sheep, which originally
were less accustomed to large
llerding, and also require more at.
tention. A few sheep of the long
wooded kinds kept properly are
found to be the most profitable,
and should he possessed by every
OF almost every farmer. They
yield ready money in summer
from the sale of their lambs and
wool. This and their thrifty, fine
appearance ought to be an induce.
nent to ecure Gf no more) II or 10
head of ewes, the male "A superior
shearing a large quantity OF
wool, as he will if well kept. In
his way u tirst-CiasS stock may be
constantly kept on the farm, realiz.
Il yearly income which, if not
arge, yet gives II large per cent. of
and it is this increase Of
profit on the investment in the diff.
crent departments that makes
profitable. AS many of
hcse should be carried as possible,
II al are at least convenient. The
sreat success in lite is in the be.
with little, and working up
expanding, The farmer has the
of many department.,
ZACH or which is a nucleus for ex-
if the occasion favors,
which the experienced c%ultivator
,nows how to take advantage of.
'hus, from a few sheep, large hocks
ave originated, making sheep
the principal thing, circum-
tances favoring it. So any one
ranch may be enlarged. With
mall beginnings there is little risk,
nd they are apt also to receive
lore attention, so that in the ag.
regate there is more success with
aspect to general farming; and
heep art included in this.-Coun.
y Gentleman.