Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-07-31
Agritmltnral department.
SHEEP AND SHEEP HUS-
BANDRY.

BANDRY.
Extracts from paper read before
the students of the New Hampshire
Agricultural College, by A. Z. Per-
kins of Pomfret
The most valuable kinds of sheep
are raised within the limits of the
temperate zones, yet in the hottest
countries of the world sheep are kept,
thrive and do well at an altitude of
5000 feet among the mountains,
while at the base of the same they
would perish with heat. In Wyom
ing, and some other places among
the Rocky mountains, sheep are kept
and feed upon grass the year around,
at an altitude of 5000 feet, and in
the summer season, upon the south
ern slopes Of these mountains, sheep
are herded at an altitude Of 10000
feet. Laramie Plains, at an altitude
of about 5000 feet, are noted for rich
verdure.
Sheep breeding was not made a
speciality in this country until the
commencement of the present CEN
fury.
In the year 1902, Col. David Hum
phrey of Connecticut imported into
this country 20 Spanish Merino ewes
and 81 rams. This was the impor-
tation of any considerable numbers
of this variety of sheep. There was
also imported during the next eight
years some 1000 more of MerinO sheep
by other persons. In>time the de-
scendants of these sheep so far eX-
celled their ancestors that importa-
lions of the Merino sheep have long
since ceased.
1t is generally believed that the
Merino sheep of Spain were imported
into that country from Italy. At the
time the Roman Empire fourished it
was noted for it's fine wool sheep.
The average weight of carcass of
the Merino sheep, when first import
ed into this country, was: Rams,
40 pounds; ewes 80 pounds. The
average weight of fleece per head was:
Rams, about 8 pounds; ewes, AZ
pounds. The present average weight
of carcass of the best fiocks is one
fifth more and the average weight of
fleece is more than double, and in many
instances is three times what 1t was
per head when they were first i'm
ported.
South Down Sheep originated in
South Downs, England, where they
have been bred for centuries. They
have been bred with the object of
making them the best mutton sheep,
their wool being reckoned of second
airy Importance. The flesh of these
sheep has the reputation of making
the best mutton of any variety of
sheep. They are a hardy breed of
sheep and will stand neglect better
than most other breeds of sheep.
The average weight of carcass of the
best focks is about lis pounds. The
average weight of fleece per head is
5H pounds, which wool is of an Or
binary quality. England eXcels in
raising these sheep, as she does in
all other varieties of mutton sheep.
The Cotswold are an English breed
of sheep. They have been bred with
the combined object of making good
mutton carcass and a valuable fleece
of long wool. The average weight OF
carcass of these sheep is 140 pounds
and of fleece is s pounds, OF WOO
which is manufactured into the vari.
Gus kinds of worsted goods, which are
noted for their durability, luster and
glossy appearance.
There are other breeds of English
sheep that are noted chiefly for thei
size and tallow producing qualities
when fat they are not bred to any
great extent in this country.