Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-09-10

III our visit to Windsor county in June, we
had some talk with A. Z. Perkins, ESD, of
Pomfret, in relation to the sheep industry in
that portion of the State Mr. Perkins has
been engaged in breeding what is known as
the Atwood Improved Merino sheep, for
many years, and has been quite successful in
the business. At the time of the downfall in
prices of fine wool sheep, several years since,
when entire hocks of valuable animals were
disposed of for a very small sum and men
quit the business in disgust, he, with others
possessing more faith in the enterprise kept
along quietly in their occupation, improving
their hocks as opportunity offered and pa
tiently waited for the good time coming,
which he believed would sooner or later ar
rive. That they were wise in their deter
mination time and results have proved to be
true.
Although, perhaps, the fabulous prices of
twenty five years ago are not now realized and
had not ought to be to keep the business in q
healthy condition, still there is no reason to
complain on this account, and farmers pos
sessing u flock of these well-bred sheep, are
in the way of receiving very satisfactory re-
ward for their labor. Mr.. Perkins thinks
there are more Merino sheep kept in Windsor
county than any other portion of the State of
equal extent. He gave the names of several
breeders Ms A. f. Fuller, Crosby Miller, J..
Iazeu, John Henry, Eben Bridge, etc. lie
and his son keep some 300 and record in the
United States, Vermont and Atwood Merino
sheep registers. The average clip of unwash-
ed wool from his flock for series of years is
eleven pounds, which is generally consigned
to commission houses. 1t was at time of
visit quoted at from % to - cents per
pound. Ewes have lambs at from two to
three years old, and the proportion of lambs
IN 10 nc n aiol,t 10 4
takes good care, and finds it pays. Raises
some roots and feeds some grain. Has been
quite successful rs n prize .taker at fairs.
The greatest return from this industry is
from the furnishing of breeding stock, for
which there is a good demand. During the
past year there have been - carloads shipped
out of the State, going to Maine, Ohio, Colo
RADIO, Dakota Texas and South America. II
this demand continues, good prices will be
realized for approved breeding stock.
In passing through that part of the town
OF Pomfret devoted to sheep husbandry, We
were impressed with the idea that the farms
were not appearing in rs high a state Of fer
tility MS where cattle was the principal stock
kept the pastures seemed to be more closely
fed, and the meadows not as productive
| Concerning this matter, however, we are moi
very well posted.
We noticed upon the farm of Mr.. Perkins
plantation of sugar maple trees that had
been set for several years, upon what appear
ed to be a dry, gravelly soil, of poor quality.
They were mostly alive and doing well.
These were set, and others upon different
farms for tue purpose of competing flor
prize offered by the grange which was ther
in existence, probably for the purpose of as
certaining whether the maple would thrive
well enough from transplanting to render il
advisable to devote land that might be desira
BILE to growth of wood for timber or sugar
making purposes. From what we saw there
is no doubt but that a sugar orchard NIGH
be produced in this way in a suitable location
and at no great expense, as the ground coulC
be occupied as a pasture during the growtl
of the trees if not allowed to be injured by
stock. st. Adams Messenger.