Morris tribune., 1880-09-23
Mutton Sheen.

The raising of mutton sheep is much
neglected, or we might say, almost en-
tirely neglected by western farmers,
who are prone to overlook the impor-
lance of small focks of sheep in con-
templating the large bands of Merino
sheep which are being introduced by
men who make wool-growing special
ty, and with f1ocks 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 a
very inferior quality, and even this is
held at luxury price. Here is 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 and take care
OF twenty to fifty Missouri or grade Mer-
mo ewes, to which he should introduce
full 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 we'll 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 good sun bath. The ewes will need
a few artichokes or other roots, fed witt
their bran, oats and corn, to promote 6
full flow of milk for the lambs, which
should Ibe dropped in January, to b.
ready for the early market, when they
command the best price.
The sheep shelters should be enclosed
with picket fence, the pickets not les
than six feet in height, and the are
enclosed should comprise what will
make large, roomy yard for the aocl
which should be kept well bedded wit
straw or waste hay. A trough KEEP
In this yard. well supplied with dr.
wood ashes and salt, will be great in
ducement tor the flock which will lie
all they need; this, with the feedin
troughs and racks will be found stuff
cient incentive to bring the flock u
every evening to the lodging place
where they can be shut in and secure
from the depredat1ons OF dogs an
wolves. 1t is advisable to put three O
four good bells on the flock. The
serve to give the alarm if thieves ar
about, and frighten off dogs. Durinj
the summer season picket cora
should be built on some elevated spo
within hearing and full view of the tarn
house into which the flock should b
driven at night. Dogs and wolves car
not scale pickets six feet high and point
ed. These should be in light panels
which are easily set up and taken dow
and moved wherever it is desired to bull
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, an
they are 80 sagacious that they are easil
taught to drive cattle and sheep wherey
er directed. While the shepherd do
should be found on every farm wher
stock is kept, the race of mongrels, curl
and worthless tribes of dogs should b
banished from the land.
The chronic terror of dogs depredatin
, on sheep is more Of a bugaboe than any
! thing else, if farmer gives proper after
ton to his flock. Of course If he neglect
it and allows the sheep to ramble at wi
he will lose them. II every farmer keI
a flock of sheep, sheep killing dogs woul
not be SO plenty. A pup raised on farr
! with sheep is not apt to be sheep THE
, unless he is the lowest type of the sneal
, ing cur.
; But the profit in flock of ewes nun
, bering 25 to 100 head of mutton sheep
6uIClSub 1uOuC6Iu0uU IOT 6VeTy 1aTLuGE
bestow the requisite care to keep such
/ flock in the best condition. He woul
] soon find that nothing else on the far
drought him halt the profit on the inves
ment, and the present is the best time [
/ make this addition to his stock. Get
7 bunch of common ewes which are und,
; five years old, and either attend in perso
t or by agent one of the public sales of in
proved stock advertised in the Farme
= and purchase thoroughbred Cotswol
1 buck. Keep the largest and best forme
e eve lambs Of this cross, sell the indiffc
4 ent eve and all the buck lambs. Repe
( this practice for three years, fatting an
] dispOsing of the old stock as the your
. supplies their places, and at the end
: the third year sell the old buck and get
o young animal Of the same breed, and
most valuable flock of mutton sheep wi
Q have been tuilt up worth, per head, mo
l than double the original stock, while Il