St. Landry democrat., 1880-03-06
CefsWOsa sheep.
TPraire Farm Letter


The present prices Of wOol-they
steadily advanced during the past yeal
and the increasing foreign demand
for mutton have very naturally given to
the sheep interest a fresh impetus
Farmers who paid hitherto little or no
attention to sheep have added this
branch Of hushandry to their livestock
operations, and young farmers, just
starting for themselves and considering
what will be most likely to help them
on, have bad their attention arrested by
the situation Of the wool and mutton
interest. An inquiry comes to lis from
an enterprlSelng beginner Tor lni0rna-
ton pertaining to CotsWolds, and while
he is not without some knowledge OF
| these sheep he desires furthar lnfOrma
ton which is chccrfully furnished rs
far as we are able 20 supply it. Ii we
| rightly understand his purpose it is not
alone for the fleece and carcass that he
| intends to go into sheep, husbanury
bit also TO raise and sell animals for
breeding purposes. 1t is, therefore,
OF especial Importance that the start
shall be right, else delays and dl>ap-
pointments are inevitable. CotswoId
are his choice, and he could hardly have
made Il better selection OF Il breed for
his purpose.
Among the long woods, the CGtswold
is %hc dominant breed Of sheep N the
United States as well lis in Great Britain.
As mutton sheep, its size, as well as
the quality of its flesh, are among its
chief recommendations, while it is
hardly necessary to say that its wool
enters so largely into very desirable
fabrics, that it has become lndlSpensa-
bic to Il vast class of manufacturers
engaged in the wooden industry. Beau
tiful and elegant styles OF goods for
ladies' wear, as well as plain and fancy
styles for men, are made from the staple
obtained from this breed, while the
com bining woods are used iii shaWlS,
fancy cloahings, knit goods, serges, al
pacas, cloth Innings, mOhalr, lustcrs,
hastings, damasks for curtains, in fact
almost numberess varieties and styles
Of goods, OF which the annual consump-
ton amounts to many millions of dollars.
And here the suggestion Is pertinent
that it is not prudent to change a breed
or kind OF sheep when once Il choice is
made, because of temporary decline
: in particular style of wool. A great
variety Of wool is needed to meet the
requirements OF manufacturers. The
behests of fashion sometimes create
an enhanced demand for a certain style
Of wool, and it may continue for some
time, but it is not prudent to change IA
flock with the shifting fancies of the
people for different kinds of goods.
The best way is to get a good flock OF
enc breed and keep it.
TO start right we repeat, is of the first
Importance. 1t may, aud will, cost
for breeding stock from the tlocks of
the best breeders, but it will pay in the
outcome, especially if the intention is to
make the rearing and sale of breeding
animals a part of the future operation
OF the business.
This justly renown breed furnishes
an excellent carcass OF mutton. 1t has
sometimes turned the beam at 300 to
$40 pounds at eighteen months old, and
at two and a half years 400 pounds-the
strongest possible evidence of its fatten-
ing habit and early maturity. The
hardness and constitutional vigor of
the breed is proverbial. These sheep
are very docile, the ewes are prolific
breeders and excellent mothers. They
sheer large fleece when judiciously
bred and cared for, yielding sometimes
as high as eighteen to twenty-five
pounds Of unwashed wool annually,
while the shrink in securing is but little
iioii eiSilteSH W twenty per Celt. nell
chef characteristics are a very long
straight body, well rounded ribs flank
ing low down, broad fiat back, good
full twist, low brsket, arched neck,
Il neat head, tapering mouth, heavily
wooded jaws and legs, and Il long wavy,
glossy fleece. These characteristics
have given them their great prominence
here and elseWhere-a prominence that
there is no doubt of their being able,
under good management, to maintain
for all time.