Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-01-19
Sheen culture.

we AIt 4tt+NtcN 10 heu, VI. . htttu lHt
the DeccmLer No Of Tie Valley Farmer. 1t
contains very interesting and able commu-
uicatiou by Gen Meem upon Sheep Huband
rs. lie has been a lifelong advocate of \ sys-
TEN Of mixed husbandry as the most certain
way Of getting a uniform income from farm.
He says the culture Of sheep is more neglected
in Virginia thsn any other branch Of agricul
tural Industry which, if followed persistently
and iuteiliceatly, returns better per cent. for
the invested capital than any other product Of
the farm. We learn by bis communication
and we regret we have not space for it-that
10 Virginia 10 1870 there were only $50. l95
sheep, making s77llO los. Of wool. There
were 1871 Mrms Of 2lO acres improved land
each, making an average Of only Il sheep to
each farm. These were common sheep, and
there has been Ii;,!e or no increase.
Gen Mcem gives a careful statement Of an
account Kept by himself, wherein he shows
tba, on aa Investment in sheep Of 1854 so, in
two years he reaped a profit Of Sl,ss0.2o.-
This result was attained by breeding improved
sheep aud giving them generous and careful
attention. To- tie profit alluded to he does not
include the advantages resulting from the in
creased productiycuess Of lands upon which
his locks roamcl Gen Meem Incorporates
into his instructive article a letter from Logan
OsJuru. Esq Of this county, whom he is
pleasel 90 refer % as a gentleman who Is de-
voting a splendid estate aud a most intelligent
supervision ,oa aJ-k Of iae wool sheep, hum
berias s'nlc ] 500 We cannot DO our farm
ers Ia better service than by reproducing the
letter of Nr. Osbwr
IrrrH or IoGAN 0sHvRN, E-Q.
Kaarrrovy. jefferson Co, ". Va,
October "a, 1877.
G.tsaI $. Nasr, ESD, Mt. Jacksun, Va.
D-tr Sr.--l our favor Of the jth October was
duly received. aud / confess my Erduhcaton %
I.s-r .-.u it's contents that my native state tit
.,iria. hl. ttkeua step IN the right direction 20
develop h,r vast agricultural resources, by ere
lt.r- oil h. Office OF Commissioner OF griculture,
ana also that d.. Pollard the Commissioner has
th.urft proper tD call % his aid your valuable
Ai-GaAI 'A MS I'.Iii7Ie'- AtttN-
That branch 0t agriculture submitted u YOU
sheep culture Is c-rtlinlv entitled o. the iavora-
lf r.r-.i .rat.1 It every farmer 20 all the grass
crossing counties ot the state.
.,-uaul-.d o Ick ot sheep, the number ju-
F-ri.g-Iy aGlut,d CO. che capacity of the farm,
Mil undoubtedly Weld twenty-five per cent. more
NET ur,it ou doe amount invested than any other
stock. more rapidly increase the fertility OF the
farm. and no he same time clean 90. 10 foul. of al
Questionable weeds b-iars, blue thistles, &c.
To g. generally thought that sheep must subsSt
where u0 other stock can, at least they are requr-
90 On. and are expected O. yield a good fleece of
wool. and &. ewes, 60 likewise raise lamb each
ail.us Co DO both they are denounced as uuproht-
able. aud abandoned as a bad investment
Whereas 1t they are supplied with good ordi-
nary fare mot >rch as Is required o. develop the
a-ra aud beauty % the much admired ''Short
. horn Durham but o. follow or rather succeed
him uu the pastur, be has topped and been re-
moved frum as insufficient, and proper attention
bestowed DO Frequently sailing in small quantities.
and change 90 pasture occasionally, they viii, II
owes. Annually Weld IN wool and lambs not less
than one hundred per cent ou the investment, at
t.a same time feed 90 the rich pastures Of their
-fr-.. and select the most barren and elevated
portions thereof O. Ge down. rest, aud leave de-
pasits which ave richer and far more durable than
ruy other manure, except the ashes OF good wood.
Usre. the great advantage 90 sheep culture IN
frf.i.irE vul. iI-h aud billy lands, without the
labor horses and hands GO haul Oh. ba,u-yard
manure. perhaps more than mile, at an expense
orurt '.s. ban twenty dollars per acre.
The foregoing remarks are based entirely on uIv
own experience and observation and asserted
without ans Doubt of their correctness / will
now proceed t'arswcr your grerie, IN relation 20
sheep r-sraujry %, briefly possible.
First WAS quite .Nr.lslyUiy engaged 90 raising
fn. ...'.t sheep prior On Che war; but los; my
entire ''ck before To-, termination.
Commenced building up my present t'c& in
fN. me . Urrfn Nr-. "a