Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-04-02
FARM AND PRESIDE.

FARM AND FIREsIDE.
SHEEP RAISING.-In view of the new
interest in this subject in Augusta inspired
by the organization and conferences of the
Augusta Wool Growers Association, we
copy in full from the Charlottesville "Jef-
fersonian" the following from the pen Of
Rev. John E. Massey. Mr.. Massey IS
known to be unusually successful in sheep
raising, a fact which entities his views on
that subject to the utmost consideration:
"From the reception of your polite note
Of the 18th ult., requesting me ito write
for publication in your paper, one or more
articles on sheep culture" to the present
time, have been too closely occupied with
imperative duties to comply with your rs
quest. Even now am unable to give the
subject the time and attention its impor-
lance entities it to. My inability to do
what I suould, shall not, however, prevent
me from doing what can.
PIEDMONT VIRGINIA
is admirably adapted to sheep culture.
There is scarcely farm in that portion of
the State, if indeed. there is one in any
part of it, upon which sheep may not be
proftably raised; and know Of no invest
ment which pays better profit. In addl-
ton to the profits derived from the sale and
use of wool, lambs and mutton, sheep rem
der valuable service in destroying briers
and sassafras. and clearing land of other
troublesome growth; enriching the soil and
causing naked lands to become we'll sod
ded.
THE KIND AND NUMBER OF SHEEP
to keep depends upon the kind and quanti-
ty of pasturage. The large and long wooded
| sheep requires better grass and more of it,
as well as wider range, than the smaller
and fine wool breeds.
The best sheep for all purposes is, in my
opinion, a cross of Cotswold, or ( Lin
colnshire with Merine. A flock of high
grade may soon be had by purchasing good
common ewes and breeding them to
thoroughbred ram. This is the most eco
nomical course. It costs no more to keep
good stock than it does to keep Indifferent
ana pays much better. All cannot, how
ever. afford to buy flock of pure-bred, or
even high grade, but by the plan above in
dictated any flock may soon be made high
grade.
EARLY LAMBS ARE ALWAYS THE BEST,
and greater proportion of them are saved.
Hence those intended for breeders should
be separated from all others, and put to-
gether at least as early as the middle Of
August. prefer the 1st of Aug. to later.
Ewes 60 with lambs five months. Ewes
should be kept in good condition at lamb
ing time. They rarely disown their lambs
if they are able to supply them proper
nourishment, and the lambs get a good
start. Rams and wethers should be kept
from the ewes about lambing time. Sheep
require but little grain if they have plenty
of nice hay, blade fodder, sheaf-oats, Or
millet, especially if they have a sod field to
run on from which they can get a moder-
ate supply of green food. Sheep should be
sailed at least twice week in spring and
summer and regularly once week tbs
residue of the year.
GOOD HOUSES OR SHELTERS,
with proper enclosures, are essentially ne
cessary to profitable sheep culture. They
cost but little and pay well. These houses
should be supplied with good racks and
troughs Sheep will suffer for food rather
than eat that which has been trampled over
by the flock. Each house should contain
few stalls for the accommodation of such
as need special attention. These stalls
may be two and half feet wide, five feet
long and two and half feet high, with
doors in front. If you will pardon the
seeming presumption, for it is with diff
dence I say it, I will say. that any one
wishing to build sheep houses may find 1t
to his interest, if he is not too far off, to
examine those on the Ash Lawn farm. He
may greatly improve on them, but they
will give him good start in the direction
of improvement.
have no sheep killed by dogs since I've
adopted the use of BELLS They serve a
double purpose brighten off the dogs ard
attract the attention of persons in hearing
of them, as soon as the sheep become
frightened and start to run. On flock
averaging about 15O. keep about thirty
bells. Small flocks should have one bell to
every third sheep. They cost but little
and pay well. The oftener sheep can be
changed from one field to another the bet
ter. The number that can be kept togeth-
or depends upon the breed of sheep and the
extent of range.
believe. MI. Editor, I have touched
upon all the points you suggested, and 8
few others perhaps. but have only touch
ed upon them, and that in a very cursory
manner. hope your readers will make,
duo allowance, as know you Will, for the.
circumstances under which + have writ.
ten, and stake the will for she deed.n
Very respectfully,
JOHN j.. MASSEY.