The Portland daily press., 1880-11-29
Profitable Sheep Raising.

The JudlclouS breeding ard rearing of
heep, says the Rural New Yorker, is I'M
loubtedly the most profitable branch of hus
'andry pursued in America. If any one is
doubt as to this, let him consider-tirst
he value of the fleece; second. the mutton;
bird, the pelts; fourth, the increase of the
lock; fifth, the improv' ment of the soil on
which they feed, and lastly, that they can
ne kept on lands SO rough that the heritage
must necessarily go to waste unless cropped
by sheep.
What breed of sheep would be best to rear
md keep to insure the greatest profit? This
AN only be answered each flock master for
himself, as it depends on combination of
Innate. soil and situation. On cheap lands,
list mt from mutton market, fine-wsoled
reeds, such as the merino, Silesan and
'thers of cognate blood, are generally found
be most profitable, as the wool, the pets
md the increase of the flock alone are Of
ny considerable value. Long-woOled breeds
certain extent may also be kept here,
md pay we'll hen their feeces bring a fair
rice for combing for worsted stuff goods.
On higner-priced lands, convenient to good
neat market, or to port of expectation to
nip them abroad, choice mutton breeds
which bear reasonably good fleece are to
De preferred. Here mutton, as in Great
Britain, is the chief thing to be depended on
Ia PAOAo WIN OSihS OiAiy q oCCiuudiy VII
,ideration.
Of the various mutton breeds, which are
.ons dered best? In answer to this we may
say that each one may be the best for GER
ain time, and according to circumstances.
f a combination of considerably increased
lie and more flesh is Immediately desired
n the produce from lean native or merino
( ives or their grades, then a fine compact,
ong-wooled ram would be the best to cross
lpon them; but only one, or at most, two
;rosses should be made, for beyond this the
carcass would run to too much tallow. and
ne mutton prove too fat for table oonsump-
zion, except, perhaps, the quarters.
For the production of very choice, we'll
narbied lean, tender, juicy meat, the pure
Southdown is the best of all breeds of sheep
Added to this, he is very hardy and thrifty
natures early and fattens quickly. A flock
# ewes properly taken care of, annually
ield a considerable percentage of lambs
yer their number, and, being excellent
nurses, almost invariably bring them all up
well. This is the original Down of England,
rom crosses of which all other Down vare-
lies have sprung, or. at least, have been
greatly improved. Such are the Hampshire,
iie Shropshire and the Oxfordshire. These
Fhree last have now become essentially the
anne as the fir t mentioned the only differ
9nce in the Oxford. For this reason we
nave no doubt this will prove the best and
most profitable sort to breed for expectation.
The general British market prefers the lar
.est size that can be obtained. which COM
Dimes with size lean, tender, savory quality
Of mutton.
The losses of sheep from disease and 9th
er causes have been very large for two years
past in Great Britain; in consequence of tits
there is an active dema for them now
frn,n A vi vii no IF
tinued increase. Thousands, if properly
bred, may he disposed of there for years to
come at good prices, where only hundreds
have heretofore been taken. Here is most
promising opening for our fock-masters,
and if they bestr themselves to fill it judi
ciously, they will be sure to reap rich re-
ward.