The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-15
farm aud 6ararn.
Sheep Raising.

Mr. w LII. lOludu, Oh yum O61ldnu
county, Va, has been furnishing to the
fillmore Farmer series of articles
Giving his reasons why the raising OF
Stock and grass is more profitable in that
section of the State than either tobacco
or cotton. Tobacco, like cotton, he saws.
is an exhaustlng crop, and when it is ex-
tensvely cultivated requires heavy out
lays in artificial manures. This outlay,
and the other expenses attending the
cultivation and harvesting of the crop,
consume all the profits. Among many
reasons for the partial abandonment Of
the cultivation of tobacco and the sub
shutting of stock raising, he has the fol-
lowing to Say on the subject of sheep
husbandry:
AS observed in my former article,
sheep husbandry may be made exceed
ingly profitable in this portion of Vir-
ginia. The face of the country is beau
tifully undulating, affording ample drain
age, and with the exception of few
districts that have been neglected, the
lands are generally elevated and dry.
The climate is mild and pasturage suita-
bic for sheep, cheap and abundant. Sheep
thrive best in dry climate and Oh dry
soil, and the sheer Is the only thing that
thrives in the midst of drought. Even
during the terrible drought of last wear
the writer had scarcely a sheen in his
hock that would not have made good
mutton.
There is in Eastern Virginia an i'm
mense quantity of what is called old
field lands, too poor for cultivation and
are generally lying idle and unproduc-
tive. These lands may be made to yield
a handsome income If sheep were put
upon them, for they furnish excellent
pasturage for sheep. Persons owning such
lands and who design putting Sheep
upon them, should divide them into two
or more fields with good enclosures, so
as to furnish suitable shifts for the sheep,
for they will not thrive if kept upon the
same fields too long, and they require an
occasional change to keep them in a
healthy condition.
There Is no pursuit that is entirely
free from trouble and difficulty, and there
are some incident to sheep husSandry as
we'll as others. Dogs and negro thieves
are the main enemies of the sheep here.
The best and most effective means of re-
lief from these, is to pen the sheep at
night IN lot as near the homestead as
practicable. The cattle should be penned
IN the same lot, for dogs will scarcely
ever attack sheep when penned with cat
tie. The sheep should also have bells
put on few of them, which serve to
keep OFT thieves. The writer has kept
up this practice for many years, and he
has not lost sheep by these depredators
for three of four years.
Notwithstanding the fact that this
portion of Virginia is so well adapted to
sheep raising, and that they can be raised
so easily and so cheaply and so probably
withal, there is not one farmer in ten
here who has flock. Nothing pays bet
ter, and if they receive due attention and
care will pay a profit of 100 per cent.
per annum. Every farmer should keep
sheep, and even those who continue the
cultivation of tobacco can do it without
any additional outlay of labor, and but
little Of expense. Millions of sheen NAV
be raised on these old field lands where
only thousands are raised now. Sheep
husbandry would not only enable oui
people to utilize these lands, now living
idle and unproductive, but it would tend
to improve them.
In conclusion allow me to urge both
planters and farmers to raise sheep for
nifty sheep, with due care and attention
Will pay. more profit than crop of ten
thousand pounds Of tobacco at present
prices.