St. Landry democrat., 1880-11-06
Sheep Industry.
Country Visitor,

This industry is becoming fashiona-
Die in the South, and is engaging the
attention of our most experienced citl-
zenS, who see it panacea for many CT
the ills we now suffer.
There is 10 doubt about the profits OF
this industry. They are too fully authen-
ticated to admit of dispute. Even the
method which obtains, of letting the
stock run wild and take care of itself
pays profit of twenty-five per cent.
per annum.
Almost all our lands, not alluvial, arc
we'll adapted to sheep husbandry. These
alluvial lands, il thoroughly drained,
will answer the purpose, but wet, badly
drained pastures are fertile sources OF
disease. Foot rot results from continued
ranging in swamps and marshes and,
once it asserts itself, it cannot easily be
eliminated.
The greatest mistake that will be
made will be in making no provision for
winter fodder and shelter. Sheep are
popularity supposed to be impervious
to cold, aud SO they are, it the fleece is
ted, it is the most uncomfortable thing
that can be imagined. Shelter of some
kind must, therefore, he provided. Du-
ring the months of December, January
and February, some extra food must be
provided to supplement the scanty and
frost bitten herbage. Rye and oats,
sown i'll October and November, are ex-
celIent for the purpose. Turnips and
carrots should also he raised for the
purpose, and in large quantities.
1t will haldly be prudent for the in
experienced to attempt the industry on
large scale, neither will it be policy to
pin ones faith on unacclimated thor
oughbreds. 1t the native sheep is cou-
pied with a merino ram the progeny will
be worth double the price OF q native.
This cross will he hardy, compact, and
tecund. AS wool producers, they will
be found profitable. A higher grade
can be made, each year, till virtual
pure blood is obtained. The, wool pro-
duet should he four or five times as
great as it was originally.
An excellent cross can he made by
coupling second grade meriuos with q
Cotswold buck. This produces large
size and increased weight of wool.
These sheep will not stand exposure
like the natives or grade merinos, but
there is no excuse for exposure in this
climate. Grade Cotswolds make ex-
cellent mutton and this alone makes
them of great value, especially in the
vicinity OF cities and large towns. The
wool of the grade is now fashionable,
and, as ten pounds per head is not un-
common, the value OF the sheep, COM
pared with the native, or merino grade,
is an item worthy of consideration.
The fecundity of the Cotswold is re-
markable. More than half of flock
will produce twins. Triplets are not
uncommon. 1t the ewes have been we'll
kept, the lambs will be very robust and,
if properly sheltered, continue healthy
and vigorous.
The value of a thoroughbred sire to
our tiocks and herds is not duly appre-
ciated. The cost of the thoroughbred,
compared with the native is the bugbear
which frightens most people. The re-
sulting grades are SO much more val
liable than the native stock that this
extra cost is wiped ont sometimes in a
single year. Our unimproved stock is
growing less and less valuable every
year and before long it will be absolute
ly worthless.