The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-18
Departmental.
Breeds Of Sheep

AS sheep are, they occupy a decd
edlv secondary place IN the agricul-
ture Of the Atlantic States and
Mississippi valley. They are, how
ever. relatively more important IN
California, where they are raised
almost exclusively for their wool
and increase. The total number of
sheep given in in the census of18.0
ag existing IN the whole country is
9S.4.6,95l. Thus it viii be seen that
thew but little outnumber the neat
cattle, while they might econolnl-
cally be nearly twice IS numerous.
The improvement III sheep culture
in the past few years consists IN the
extensive dissemination of we'll
bred rams of various breeds, which
occurred inc Consequence OF the high
prices which prevailed during the
war and Immediately subsequent
and in consequence OF the abund-
ance of the circulating medium
which was considered money.
When the markets are favorable,
NilRtD OIleI tiIltC 0OtlJOCN VI b1'AiS
to the breeder. namely, wool, carly
lambs and mutton. The lambs are
important, not only as supplying
the annual loss OF the flock by
slaughter and through natural
causes. but are of themselves Il very
considerable source Of income, es-
peciallv to breeders of the proper
mutton breeds.
Sheep are naturally classified &C
cording to their wool, INTO Fine
woods. Middle woods and Long
woods.
The Merinos are of only moder-
ate size, Noticeable fer the ponder
ous horns Of the rams, and for the
great abundance Of folds and wrin-
kles which the loose skin presents.
They arc remarkable also for the
large quantity Of ''yolk"-a natu-
raj soap, called grease,-which eX-
udcS from the skin and fills the
wool.
These sheep fatten rapidly, and
are good mothers; and the cheaper
ones, OF grades, are valued by far
mers living near good markets as
breeders of early lambs, when cross
ell with rams Of the mutton
breeds.
The number Of breeds Of sheep IS
50 great that it is hardly possible
that any one has thorough knowl-
edge of them all. In this country
fortunately, we have only those
whose positive excellence recon-
mends them.
MIDDLE Wool SHEEP, 90 called,
are English breeds. Among them
the .SouH D0wAs are per-eminent,
on account Of their symmetry,
}heir excellent, close, moderately
fine, useful fleece, and their super
ior mutton. They are best of the
proper mutton breeds which are
found in considerable numbers In
country. They are hornless. with
grey faces and dark grey legs, very
broad IN the loin, deep III the chest
thick through the heart, with
wide saddles, wide and deep hams,
small bones and little otfal. They
grow quickly. are fat at al ages, and
economical feeders. Other Down
sheep are somewhat large, or have
dlyerged from the general type by
crosses taken with some Of the long
Wool breeds.
Long wool sheep comprise a
number of excellent breeds, The
ieiccsterS, or Rakewclls. the Lin
coins and the CotswoldS are the
most widely bred, and probably the
latter are best adapted to II uses,
being most uniform III character
and best hnowns They are the
largest size. horhless, we'll formed
as fresh producers, with small otfal,
hence with bones no heavier than
necessary To support their great
weight. Their wool is long, say
K IA inches in length, very glossy
and silky, but not fine rs compared
with the Nerino, nor so fine aS
mat of the Intermediate Down
breeds. They grow with grcat
I3pidIty, requiring. Of course,
abundant feed. The lambs arc
earliest IN market, and bring the
highest price. Long wool sheep re-
Hnira more careful attention thar