The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-10
farm aud 6ardrn.
conducted by DR.. THOMAS POLLARD State
Commissioner of Agriculture
Profits of Sheep Raising.

ticle on "Sheep Husbandry in the United
States, its origin and growth" prepared
by the Department of Agriculture il
answer to a resolution of the United
States Senate, passed June II, 1878. 1t
relates to the profits of Southern Sheep
Husbandry, and gives the testimony OF
some Virginia correspondents on the
profits in Virginia;
The profits of wool-growing in the
Atlantic States, Delaware, Maryland.
and Virginia, are derived largely from
production of lambs from the neighbor.
ing markets of Washington and Balti
more, not to mention Philadelphia and
New York, which are also quite access
BILE. The thrifty and enterprising farmer
who keeps few sheep prefers the quick
returns coming from lambs sold at four
months old for higher prices than full
grown Merino grades.
The unenterprising farmer, who will
not provide the requisite care and feed,
had much better stick to wool -growing
alone, for the mutton will be worthless.
The broad acres of mountain ranges are
also better suited to the exclusive pro
duction of wool. 1t is the testimony of
many that half-breed Southdowns or
Cotswold lambs, well cared for, will pay
all expenses of the flock with meat, leav-
ing the wool for profit This section is
peculiarly suitable for Embarrassing, not
alone on account of proximity to great
cities, but from the cheapness OF fertile
lands and healthfulness of the climate
The Piedmont region, the Blue Ridge
and the valley of Virginia are remarka-
bly, well adapted to the production OF
the cultivated forage plants necessary
for winter feeding, and the bluegrass
and white-clover pasturage in summer
is abundant and enduring.
1t has not yet become an important
industry. Much fine pasturage in the
mountain is as yet unutilized. The
largest number of sheep are at present to
be found in Culpeper and Fauquier, in
the Blue Ridge region, and on the lime
stone soils of Southern Virginia, es-
pecially Scott, Russell, Washington, and
Grayson.
Mr.. John Carmichael, of Loudoun
county, reports the value of spring
lambs sent to Washington at 50 so to S.,
according to quality; that western ewes,
brought in the autumn for breeding,
cost 81. rs; their lambs averaged Sc. so,
and their wool 81 more. The ewes are
fattened and sold in the fall for "a to SIS.
This makes the gross returns of the year
about SIS, or $500 above the cost OF the
eve for feed and profits.
Mr. Thomas F. Rives reports for Din
widdie county:
Captain Shelton has fine flock oil
grade Southdowns. He sows rye and
winter oats, thus supplying good winter
pasture. His lambs are dropped in the
early part of January and some in De
cember. He generally has lot OF fat
lambs in market by the middle of April
and always commands good price fol
them, from $5 to Sc per head. Mr.
Burgess is breeding up fine flock Of
Cotswolds. He has provided good shell
ter for his flock, and his sheep are well
cared for in all respects. Both of the
gentlemen say that it pays them well.
Some of the difficulties in the way Of
extensive sheep-husbandry are given by
Mr.. William F. Jackson, of Amelia coun-
ty, Virginia:
The large land owner will tell you it
pays 100 per cent and beats farming to
death, but says: IL have no fences: it
would bankrupt me to fence my lands,
and if [ did, in ten days the dogs would
Kill all my sheep. l cannot go into the
speculation; it might ruin me at once. .
There is some force in this, but it seems
TO me the venture might be more profta-
Die and less hazardous by employing a
herdsman without fences, except for In
closing them at night
Mr.. r. Turnbull, Of Brunswick, Vir-
ginia:
Believing that there is money in sheep,
have determined to go into the bust
ness on a farm of 2,400 acres, in this
county, in which l am interested. l
nave now on the farm flock of Ga
Which is the largest flock in the county,
IN line condition, and expect to increase
the flock to 500 or 1000"
4 Examples of small hocks which have
oeen a success are numerous. In Nor
cumberland county, Virginia, according
70 former return Of our correspondent,
flock Of GO ewes, costing So each, pro-
ouced 100 lambs the first year, which
brought So each in May, netting nearly
9oVO above original cost, with the origi-
nal flock and the wool on hand. They
were turned into wheat stuhh1e eeadod