Connecticut western news., 1882-01-11
SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
FEDS AND BR DING.

animals were first domesticated, at- tempts have undoubtedly been made to improve them. Animals that were found the best for mans use were se- lected for breeding; and from lack of any settled system in the care of these animals and from various fancies of those who breed them, the process was slow and uncertain. Fancy, without any rational standard of merit, led to an eyer varying idea of excellence, so that an improvement in one direction was lost in attempts to improve in some other. In some focks we see animals widely different in form and qualities all of which were selected under the golden rule, "Breed from the best. But MT. BakeweN inaugurated new system and demonstrated it's advantages in his own successful practice. He to desirable qualities that gave the ami nal the greatest value for particular purpose. His standard required an animal that gave the largest return for the food consumed, and the highest de- velopment in certain definite direction.
 We have at the present time the Cots wold sheep, Lincoln, Leicester, Dorset or Somersetshire, Oxford down, Hamp- shire down, South Down, merino, Shropshire, etc. The Cotswold has been brought to it's present perfection from the Leicester to give more apti- tude in fattening; the Hampshire down originated from a cross; the Oxford down are direct cross from the Cots. wold on the one side and Hampshire down on the other. They are an estab- lished breed, continue to be distinct and follow true their percentage, with out that uneven and coarse look that characterizes some other breeds. The Lincolns are very coarse breed; the Dorset are 8 large white-face sheep, with horns like the race of cattle. Leicester sheep have been in this coun- try only some 45 years; they owe their fine qualities to the celebrated breeder, MT. Bakewell. They have been crossed with most of the different breeds, so that it would be somewhat difficult to find pure animal of any one of the original breeds.
 Passing from the different breeds of sheep, let us see if there is any profit in sheep. propose to make a statement and ask the farmers sons who read the Republican to see that am correct. Let one of these boys take a eve lamb from any of the breeds mentioned, if the increase are twins, the first and every year for ten years, one-half only every year being males, there would be at the end of ten years 2,O47 in his flock, which at $5 each would give SIG, 235 for his care, reckoning all gain, and no loss. The wool would pay the keeping. Now $10O at per cent. compound interest will double in about twelve years. One hundred dollars worth of shee p with the stock doubled in four years, if kept on at that rate, would amount in twelve years to $500. Is this not better than going to the cities and villages where only one in ten make a respectable liv- ing :? Ofcourse skill and judgment are necessary in the management of sheep, and for young man to take a. flock of sheep fresh from. the breeders hands, thinking he would meet with success, would result in a great loss.
 | Begin with few animals at first. As your flock increases so will your knowl- edge of the business, but always bear in mind in the care of all animals, the motto, "the breed is in mouth." This should not be lost sight of in the man. agement of stock. We must keep con- stantly in mind the important fact that a liberal supply of nutritious food is es- sential to the rapid growth and full de- velopment of the animal. An animal requires food for two important pur, poses, first, to supply the waste in the system; second, for their increase in growth and condition. The food for the first purpose gives no return unless in the form of manure, the waste that is to be added being equal in value as ma nure to the food constituents required to keep the animal in condition. The profit in feeding must therefore come from the food consumed in excess oI that required to keep up the animal re- pairs. We know that under good sys tenn of management large amount ot the food is made available in structure which is the real profit.
 Experience shows us that it requires less food in young animal to make { given amount of increase in live weight
 than in one older. Then the question arises, what are the best breeds? It is often assumed that all breeds have qualities in common which bring then into direct competition. Each breed has it's peculiar characteristics. Fol meat production the tendency to fatte1 early is desirable quality, while othel qualities such as size, hardness, etc.
 must be governed by the productive ness of the farm, location and genera management. I believe it easier to pro duce given variation in au animal thar
 to retain it after it is made. If the i'm
 proved breeds are to be subject to thu same treatment that some farmers giv, to the inferior breed of animals, the.
 will certainly degenerate, and thu
 farmer will say improved breeds are } humbug only fit for fancy farmers. Tn same may be said of grain or vege tables; the best kind of seed will no 7 produce an abundant crop unles ) through good cultivation and manurin!