The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-17
farm aud 6arden.
conducted by DIR. THOMAS POLLARD. State
Commissioner Of Agriculture
Sheep Husbandry.

Shepherds National Journal on the ii :
teresting subject of sheep husbandry
though our readers, we believe, will b.
the gamers by having the selected instea,
of the original matter.
To the Editor Of the Shepherds National Journal
Ny first flock Of sheep consisted of l.
low-grade Merino ewes. My object wa
TO improve by the use of good rams, an,
by proper care and attention, make tn
most that was possible out of the fewes
number. Although | have increased tn.
number until for some years it has aver
aged something over 200 head, the aver
age weight of fleece is about the same
which is, perhaps, partly owing to the
greatly increased numbers now kept upon
the farm, as it is fact very clearly de-
monstrated to nearly all practical wool
growers that it is easier to keep up good
weights with few than with a large
number. However, after the fall in price,
at the close of the war, allowed my in
terest to abate for few years, and made
some poor selections of rams, which had
an injurious effect.
Last year my average was six pounds
per fleece, after being locked number
of pounds; and although have not thor
ough- breeds, my sheep are all of a good
grade, with compact feeces, the greatest
lack being in length of staple. NY object
now is to retain the density, and add to
the length, which I have no doubt of be-
ing able to do in few years.
General Winter MANAGEMENT.
During the winter my sheep are housed
at night, or during stormy weather; but
l do not keep them as closely yarded as
is the custom of some. I give them the
run of small lot, or an old pasture.
have bank barn, in the basement of
which most of my sheep are kept. The
front is lathed, at each end are large
doors, which in mild weather remain
open, giving thorough ventilation. AS a
rule, the sheep are kept in four separate
lots, and divided by feed racks. Breed
ing ewes occupy one apartment, wethers
another, yearlings another, while the last
Springs lambs occupy the fourth. Occa-
sionally few that fall behind the rest
are kept in separate lot, but I am not
troubled much with invalids. If hay is
plenty, but little grain is fed; but, il
straw is used, grain is also; and I inva-
riably make it practice, as soon as pas
lures begin to fail in the fall, to commence
giving little grain, which seems to keep
them In fair flesh until they go into win
ter quarters.
The Winter Now Closing.
Last fall, in company with many others,
was somewhat alarmed about the posi-
bility of short supply of feed. In ad-
dltion to 2l2 head of sheep, I had 20
head of cattle, and horses. When the
cold weather set in, near the middle of
November, | commenced feeding straw,
mostly wheat, from the racks, and corn
fodder out of DOORS with shelled corn
twice day; about II bushels to all per
day. L never saw sheep keep up better
and look fuller. After the first Of Janu-
airy the grain ration was Stacked until the
middle of February, when it was reduced
to half bushel, when the straw was dis.
continued and all the hay they could eat
gwen. By the first of March but little
over peck of grain was fed. AS re-
suit my sheep never looked better, and l
have two-thirds of my hay yet, and in
stead of running short will have a few
tons to spare.
Of one thing am fully convinced that
with good crop Of corn and plenty of
good wheat straw, there need be no cause
to fear the result Of wintering sheep, es-
pecially if it should be steady cold one
Tor the more snow and rougher it is, the
better they will eat.
During the hard freezing, while the
ground was covered with snow, hauled
out lot Of green apple tree limbs, which
tney peeled bare. 1t exerts good inlu-
ence Rows of yellow pine are excellent.
also feed some sulphur and saltpetre
with good effect. For constipation Ep-
som salts is given. For running at the
nose, pine tar was daubed in the feed
troughs with good success. I lost one
yearling eve from disease of the brain,
ana lamb in the early part of winter by
securing.
Experience with Early Lambs.
My practice has been to have ewes TO
lamb from first to middle of April. but
last August ram got amongst nv ewes
twelve being served, came to time in
about as cold weather as the winter
Afforded. Not being in the habit of nurs-
ing lambs when the mercury was below
zero, was at loss to know how to man
age; but cold as it was 1 saved eight, and
ppy giving their dams extra care. thew
nave all done splendidly. 1t is astonish-