The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-03-11
Salt as n Fertilizer.

Salt Rs y Fertilizer.
II thousands Of pounds Of salt were
used on the land where hundreds are
used now, such an Increase would pro
portionately advance agricultural pro-
duction. But there appears to be this
limit, that it is OF little or no benefit on
poor, thin soils, because it is not sc
much a fertilizer in itself as a solvent OF
others. This is perhaps the explanation
too Of the wide differences OF opinion
among practical farmers as to its value
those who have received benefit having
used Il on land still retaining latent
strength, and those who obtained nc
benefit, used it on soils naturally poor,
thin or worn out. Hlying in my own
case arrested blight in a small apple
orchard by a very liberal application OF
it two years ago. l am prepared when
the proper time comes, to SOW q barrel
Of $50 pounds to each acre on some ten
acres OF small pasture, which, for the
last four years, has been more or less
strongly fertilized with nitrate OF soda
and superphosphate OF lime. II the
season happens to be dry, 1 shall expect
to get little more heritage than il / had
not sown it. II moist or wet l shall hope
for a great increase in grass growth. i
shall not, however, anticipate a final loss
if the summer is dry, because the benefit
will be postponed to another year,
Country Gentleman.
Oxfordshire Down Sheep.
The Agricultural Gazette, Of London,
states: The Oxfordshire Downs we're for
some years classed among cross. bred
sheep; but at a meeting Of breeders, in
1867, it was determined to give them q
definite name. Hence their new title,
the propriety Of which is demurred to by
some, for their only similarity toa Down
is in their color. Their size and fleece
important qualities which have been
long and carefully cultivated by the
promoters of this breed-parti Ike more
of the Longwool. The Oxfordshire,
Downs were originally produced by
crossing a Hampshire, and, in some
instances, a Southdown ewe-most com.
monty the former, for it gave increased
size with q Cotswold ram, and then
putting the crosses together. By
constant attention and wedding q most
successful result has been accomplished,
producing a kind of sheep that possess,
with uniformity Of character and hardi.
ness of constitution, large frames, good
~aeecss, aptitude to fatten, and mutton
of superior quality. 1t is about twenty.
seven years since this breed was first
established in Oxfordshire.
An English authority in these matters,
writing of the Oxfordshire Downs and
referring to store sheep, and of breeding
rams and ewes of these fiocks as kept in
everyday use, gives the following brief
statement of points:
l. The dead weight Of an average LOT
Of lambs at three months would be from
80 to 40 pounds; at six months, from As
to Sc pounds; at twelve months, from 80
to o6 pounds.
2, The weight of ews at eighteen to
twenty-four months, 80 to 1O4 pounds,
of wethers, from 8S to 1l2 pounds; OF
rams, from $50 to 200.
8. The weight of aged (fuIl.mouthedJ
ewes, from so to 100 pounds; of two OF
three shear rams, in working order, from
100 to 200 pounds.
4, Oxfordshire Down wethers are
generally sold to the butcher, shorn, at
from twelve to fifteen months old
weighing from 80 to 1l2 pounds, some
even weighing more-the average prob.
ably 88 pounds.
s. The ewes produce their first lambs
at twenty-four months old; SON few
breeders put them to the ram as tegs,
namely at nine or ten months old, The
Oxfordshire Downs are very prolific and
excellent mothers.
6. The mutton is very superior, and
commands a high price in the London
markets; there is a good deal OF lean
meat as compared with the fat; and il
compares favorably with the mutton OF
any other breed Of sheep.
7. The weight of aeoce of twelve
months growth Of ewes is from 7 to 8
pounds; Of rams, at fifteen to eighteen
months old, from 10 to 10 pounds; OF
wethers, at thirteen to eighteen months
old, from 8 to IA pounds.