The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-09-23
Mutton Sheep.

templating the large bands of Merino
sheep which are being introduced by
men who make wool growing special
ty, and with focks of 500 to 1000. and
5000 head, stock their sheep ranches.
Now there is another phase of sheep
raising which does not require large
outlay and costly preparation to con-
duct, and while it will prove more prot
liable on the amount of capital invest
ed and care required, than the large
focks kept mainly for their wool, is
within the reach Of every farmer, and
should be part of his system OF farm
ing. This IS small focks of mutton
sheep, within ten or fifteen miles Of
large towns. Good mutton sells higher
than beef in all the butcher shops, and
the cause is scarcity of mutton sheep.
She supply for the home market is of
very inferior quality, and even this is
held at luxury price. Here is a mar
ket at the very door OF farmers where all
they can raise of good quality mutton
sheep and lambs, can be readily disposed
of at high prices, and without inter-
vention of middle men or any transporta-
ton charges to cut down the profits. Ev-
cry farmer could purchase an take care
OF twenty to fifty Missouri or grade Mer-
mo ewes, to which he should introduce
tull bred Cotswold buck. The grade
ewes make excellent mothers, and mated
with Cotswold buck fully one-half of a
healthy flock will produce twins and
raise their lambs, if well fed and shelter
ed in winter. A good straw or hay shed
facing the south, and one of Mr.. Stoner's
hay shelterers for protection to young
lambs on cold nights and during storms,
IS all that is needed in the way of
shelter. In clear weather the
sheep and lambs are better to be in the
open air, where they can have the benefit
Of a good sun bath. The ewes will need
few artichokes or other roots, fed with
their bran, oats and corn, to promote a
full flow of milk for the lambs, which,
should lbe dropped in January, to be
ready for the. early market, when they
command the best price. " IL 'v,'
The sheep shelters should be enclosed
with picket fence, the pickets not less
than six feet in height, and the area
enclosed should comprise what will
make a large, roomy yard for the flock
which should be kept we'll bedded with
straw or waste hay. A trough kept
IN this yard, well supplied with dry
wood ashes and salt, will be great in
ducenent tor the flock which will lick
all they need; this, with the feeding
troughs and racks will be found suffi-
cient incentive to bring the flock up
every evening to- the lodging place,
where they can be shut in and secured
from the depredations OF dogs and
wolves. It is advisable to put three or
four good bells on the flock. They
serve to give the alarm if thieves are
about, and frighten off dogs. During
the summer season picket corral
should be built on some elevated spot
within hearing and full view of the farm
house into which the flock should be
driven at night. Dogs and wolves can
not scale pickets six feet high and point
ed. These should be in light panels,
which are easily set up and taken down
and moved wherever it is desired to build
the pen. When the sheep become accus-
toned to the pen, they will come up with
out any trouble IN the evening.
No farmer should be without a shep-
herd dog. The animals naturally in
cline to driving and watching stock, and
they are so sagacious that they are easily
taught to drive cattle and sheep wherev-
er directed. While the shepherd dog
should be found on every farm where
stock is kept, the race of mongrels, ours,
and worthless tribes of dogs should be
banished from the land.
The chronic terror of dogs depredating
On sheep is more of bugaboe than any
thing else, if farmer gives proper atten-
ton to his flock. Of course if he heglects
it and allows the sheep to ramble at will
he will lose them. 1t every farmer kept
flock of sheep, sheep killing dogs would
not be so plenty. A pup raised on farm
with sheep is not apt to be sheep thief,
unless he is the lowest type Of the sneak
ing cur.
But the profit In flock Of ewes num-
bering 25 to 100 head Of mutton sheep is
sufficient lnducement for every farmer to
bestow the requisite care to keep such a
flock in the best condition. He would
soon ind that nothing else on the farm
brought him halt the profit on the invest
ment, and the present is the best time to
make this addition to his stock. Get a
bunch of common ewes which are under
tive years old, and either attend in person
or by agent one of the public sales of i'm :
proved stock advertised in the Farmer,
and purchase thoroughbred Cotswold
buck. Keep the largest and best formed
eve lambs of this cross, sell the indifer.
ent eve and all the buck lambs. Repeat
this practice for three years, fatting and
disposing Of the old stock as the young
supplies their places, and at the end Of
the third year sell the old buck and get a
young animal of the same breed, and a
most valuable flock of mutton sheep will
have been tuilt up worth, per head, more
than double the original stock, while the
yearly profit from wool, lambs and old
sheep will have returned larger COM
parative profit than any other Item on
the farm. A home market there is no
danger of Cutting, tor mutton sheep
is at every farmers door, which brings
more profit and speedier returns than any
other stock On the tarm.-Kansas Farna-
eT. ..-