The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-03

of 800 sheep, and of the teams, cows
etc., necessary to carry on the farm and
to supply the families on it with milk
and butter.
Mr.. Chamberlain plan, when he first
commenced making manure by using
sheep, was to spread it thinly, so as to go
over all the surface he could make
clover grass; and he said that when he
had brought his land to where it would
produce clover, Improvement henceforth
was easy and rapid The sheep not only
gave the first impulse, but were all the
time depended upon as the great manure
producing power.
Now, all this can be done by sheep al
the South. By their use even red clover,
the grand ameliorator of land (Which it
was once declared could not be grown at
the South, can be made to have the same
Iregenerating influence which it has at
the North. Even in Mississippi as Dr.
Phares has asserted and proved, red
clover may be grown as promptly and
as luxuriantly, and yield as heavy crops
OF forage, as in any portion of America.
To utilize the meadow and pasture,
sheep can be more proftably used at the
South than any other stock. Cattle can
be better raised at the West. Dairy and
cheese farming are more difficult and
more laborious than sheep-farming
Sheep culture has other advantages over
cattle-raising. 1t gives annual dividends
in the f1eeces. Indeed, the eve gives two
dividends-her heeces and her lambs
The beef-producting animals give no
dividends; and the grower must 90 on
adding his expenses till the end of their
lives, when he must find his compensa-
ton Gf he can) in one gross sum. The
capital required for the purchase of
sheep-enough stock for a fair trials
small. Large hocks are not required.
Sheep-growing is commended by other
considerations, apparently slight, but too
important to be overlooked Wool never
has to seek purchaser. Poor or good,
it is evidently the cash article on the
farm. The little addition from this
source to the resources of the farm af-
fords a satisfaction to which every wool
growing farmer will testify. The abso-
lutte enjoyment the farmer has in the
care of his hocks is no little considera-
ton; neither is the gentle and humaniz-
ing influence, which a love for animals is
well-known to exert, to be overlooked.
1t the prejudice still fingers that sheep
culture is less dignifed occupation than
that of cotton planting, it should be dis
PEELED. The nobility of sheep growing,
and especially of heep-breeds, is re-
cognized by all the advanced nations.
The Empress Eugene took the flock of
Rambouillet under her special protec-
ton. France has recently erected a
monument to Daubenton, who first
showed how the culture of the merino
could be made successful. TIE Queen OF
England takes pride in the choice focks
which adorn her parks. The first ex-
hlbltor of woods at our Centennial was an
archduchess. The princes of Hungary
are as proud of the fnsness of their woods
a. OF their own descent. The English
nobleman values the prizes for his per-
fected Southdowns of Lincolns above all
the honors of the turf; and, at dinner
OF the landed gentry the topic of sheep
and turnips takes precedence of all other
table-talk. With such recognitions, sheep
husbandry has no need of urging its
Claims to place of honor on the planta-
tons of the South"
Here is what Hon. Andrew Stevenson,
in letter to Mr.. Skinner, said of the
suitability, and advantages of Virginia
for sheep raising. Virginia has many
advantages for sheep breeding not sur
passed in the United States" This was
after his residence in England, Cat the
court of st. James,, where he was close
observer of the Agriculture, etc., of Eng
land, being himself farmer, when not
in public Office. We shall have more to
say hereafter on the suitability of Vir-
ginia for sheep raising.
Work on the Farm.
Wheat should be gotten in as soon as
possible, (where it is not done } for fear OF
wet weather, and losses in various WAYS,
and there is no probability, we think, Of
any better prices; possibly there may be
fall. Fodder corn may still be seeded,
and 1T should be done unless the farmer
knows he has provender enough to carry
him through the winter. Peas may still
be seeded, on good land, for turning un-
der, and making hay for stock. Turnips
may be seeded now and the first of August.
Tobacco must be worked, and wormed
suckered, etc. Following for wheat
should be carried on now, whenever the
ground Is in order. We believe in early
following for wheat, and occasionally
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