Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1879-07-19
His land had been

similarly situated. His land had Been
cropped for years without the least re-
turn being made in the shape of manure
or fertilizers of any kind. There were
a few stunted bushes, briers, and a lit
tie wiry grass on it, and the land was 40
poor that thistles and other ordinarv
weeds would not grow. The land was
bought for mere trife, and also a
flock of 100 ragged looking native sheen
were picked up at 81 so per head. These
sheep were turned upon the farm under
consideration, and two shepherd dogs
were also pat out in the pasture with
the sheep. Portable fence sufficient
to inclose about an acre of land was
made, and the experiment began. Ey.
cry night the sheep were folded upon
the acre fenced in, and the dogs were
fastened outside, suitable kennels hav.
ing been provided for the dogs
in case of stormy weather. Folding the
sheep was necessary in any case, as
there are so many dogs in the South
that sheep husbandry is impossible un.
less the sheep are protected at night al
ways, and in many places in the day.
time also. Rough portable sheds were
made for the sheep, and troughs for
grain and salt. Water was hauled ey.
cry evening, and tubs filed, so that the
sheep could drink as they pleased. In
a few days the dogs learned to watch
the sheep by day, and drive them up at
night, without human supervision.
Several mutton-loving negroes who tried
to get sheep without first buying it,
were severely bitten, but dared not
or make any attempt at re.
taliation. 1t will thus be seen
that there were great difficult
ties to be overcome, besides the
want of fertility in soil at the beginning
Of the experiment. "In q months
time." my friend writes, ''the sheep
foid had thick coating of droppings,
and, removing fence and fixtures to
fresh spot, we plowed it under and
sowed on the freshly-turned sod lib
eral quantity of COW peas. These we
turned under at the proper time. and
then planted the area with such seeds
and roots as were seasonable for family
use. Thus we started our garden. As
each successive acre became enriched by
he droppings of the sheep, the same rou-
line was observed, until we had ten acres
If land as fertile as the most exacting
farmer could require. From these ten
acres we had an abundance of fodder,
'oots. vines, and other things to feed
,ur sheep, q couple of cows and horse
If all work, half dozen fat Berkshires,
md an uncounted number of fowls. We
continued the folding process, but in.
Itead of blowing under, we removed the
as completely as possible, to
'ur compost heap, and then sowed clo-
'er and other grass seeds upon the area,
Ifter the fold had been removed to 3
resi- spot. This gave us magnificent
pasture, after time, but not before it
vas needed by our now increasing
lock-" When first starting out he har-
owed the thinnest portions of the pas
ure, sowing on white clover seed and
'lanting Bermuda grass roots. This
dded somewhat to the original vegeta-
ion, and furnished the pasture needed,
s the area of fertilized land encroached
n the uncultivated portion of the farm.
he farm now is completely renovated,
nd the flock of sheep has been changed
lso, SO that the wool and mutton sold
ach year amounts to more than the
riginal sum paid for land and stock
or. Country Gentleman.
The Associations of Housekeep-
rs" in Vienna now numbers l,543