Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-05-15
SHEEP RAISING.

The following very interesting article,
written for the Baltimore Gazette, by
one of the most prominent and wealthy
citizens of our county, giving his expe-
rience in raising sheep, will be read
with much interest. We transfer the
article to our columns, with great deal
of pleasure, feeling assured that much
benefit will be derived from it by a
careful perusal by our farming conmu-
nifty generally:
kABLETowN, JEFFERSON COUNTY, W. VA,
May 81 AN so frequently the recipient OF let
tiers making inquiry in regard to sheep culture
that have concluded with your approval to
make your columns vehicle for reply. as your
paper has probably the most extensive circula-
ton in the local. les from which Inquiry reaches
me. / have devoted neatly thirty years OF my
life TO the practical study OF this subject and its
successful application 10 this locality, with re-
suits that have justified the thought, labor and
expense attendingit.
The increased value of wool has recently made
sheep culture q subject OF great general interest,"
The benefit of increased bone production OF
wool becomes apparent when it is understood
that we annually import laI re quantities 10 meet
the demand of our manufactures and That Inc
carcass il in excess of the home demend aud
fayOIaby situated for transportation 10 the sea-
board, like our surplus beet, finds ready mar
ket abroad. There are two CoHd tons Decessa
ry to the profit lble prod ucton of sheep on the
Atlantic slope or borders, where, as q general
rule, lands are high Thorough practical knowl-
edge OF the different breeds, their constitution,
diseases, needs and characteristics, constitutes
the first. Quality Of land and climate, that
fortify them against diseases and arc at the same
time oouDtiful in the production OF the grasses
and cereals necessary 10 sustain them, are the
second. During period OF ten years preceding
the war, / devoted myself TO the cultivation OF a
flock Of sheep suitable 10 this locality by constl-
tuition and profitable by their increased produc-
ton OF wool and weight of carcass. Experience
demonstrated that the wool product can be in
creased in few years, at least one-third in
weight length and value OF staple, and the car
cass 10 the same proportion. Under all circum-
stances the merino sheep, with shgnt naive,
Southdown or Co;swod cross, are the most
profitable and most hardy, only requiring ac-
cess TO open sheds and plenty OF food In winter,
consisting under my system OF management OF
hay stacked around strong poles planted about
three feet in the ground TO prevent the stack
from falling over, and the sheep permitted 10
run to them, and abort half pint OF the mix
ture of shell,d corn and bran, in equal quanti-
ties, twice day, spread in troughs OF sufficient
length to accommodate the flock. The flock
should not exceed OF c hundred IN number, and
one good man can attend to one thousand head
during any except the larnbing period. The cost
for labor is therefore comparatively triiling. The
sale of the carcass is held 10 be secondary con-
sideralion by me. My object is to produce the
heaviest anu most valuable fleeccs, selling off,
as vet, only the males not retained for bucks
after two shearings and the tal!lngs OF the HOOK,
resulting usually from age
Bt fore the war had about 500 head Of this
class that had been raised 10 very high stand
ard of production III both wool and carcass, Out
my entire flock wai destroyed by the different
armies. Since 1872 | have pursued the same
policy and now have about 2, 100 of my own
raising or breeding, Independent Of the lambs OF
this spring from about 1, 200 ewes. The aver" re
weight of The hecces wash, on tho back for the
last three years has spproxtnated six ana nail
pounds, about one huli Of which was c!assed rs
first quality Of ctmhing and delaine, The remain-
der IN The next highest class, and all selling at
the maximum 70 les of the class in which 1t is
paced, al securing an average weight OF about
rs pounds for the wethers after two shearings.
Ntie my treatment and juGiclouS crossing
have greatly contributed to tuis uncommon re-
su!t in go large q lock, freedom from disease Is
to large extent attributable to the character of
our lauds and the grasses al Il grain produced
! by III, IN For the culture Of hae sheep in my
Judgment this valley has no parallel on toe Cor
tmeut. 1t is certainly as well adapted 10 tue
, culture and dev,lOp-ment Of sheep Tor both wool
ard mutton rs the rich blue grass lands OF Ken
lucky are to the de velop. ment of the celebrated
shor-horned cattle OF which she sojustly boasts.
I cy will produce annually 20 per cent. on lands
vi tie value of one hundred collars per acre
(when raised TO high Sta|C) with good care,
over all loss, at the sanie time securing cura-
bic fertility TO the LANDS 10y .hcir deposits for tie
production of either grain or grass -Cqual'd by
no other fertilizer. one or per cent. will an
nually cover the loss in my Il eek from disease,
while perhaps over feeding 10 winter, severe
storms and accidents may Increase IL TO three.
Ia buildiI z up my ll,ck have At different times
bought small lois nj high grade rerlnn bucks
and ewes from Ouo and Western Pennsylvania,
aud In almost every Instance they were more or
less affected with foot rot, which WIS easily
cared by the application Of q saturated solution
OF the sulphate Of zinc and iron, applied hot, aud
free use OF the knife in cutting away the dis
eased parts. While have ney,r had case 10
occur among my own raising, 1t Is easily trans
United from a diseased flock to any kind or grade
OF sheep by permitting them TO run upon pas
ture that the diseased flock was recently re-
moved from. OIe or two treatments nave sue
ceeded in relieving the disease ones IN all cases
that have occurred in my prrchases, and 1t has
never occurred sg lin in period of ten years.
Nv conclusion, therefore, is that our coil and
climate are hostile 10 this greatest of all enemies
To sheep culture. The average increase from
lamb-besring ewes is full % per cent The
lambing as a rule with me Is in April, Tor the
reasL n that no eve lambs are sold by re, ara
the wetlcrs are kept until after two shearings,
this being in my judgment the most profitable
policy Ny purpose is when my flock of ewes
reaches proportions to stock my farms 10 an
nualy sell. in small lots, choice brood ewes 10
such as desire to cultivate like flock. And
believe the time is not far distant when our
home ore merno eve will rank among the first
in value for all purposes; and its production for
sale to other localities will become au irnnortsnt
branch of industry. LOGAN OSDIkN.