The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-03-08

other diseases. but this great terror OF close
grazing ia too much for them In vain have
the large yields of wool from the Cotswods
aud Nerinoes been displayed, and useless
have been the exhibits of The marbled care
eases of the SOuIhdOwns. The cloSe'crop-
ping of he pastures can not be borne. and
the consequence is that the most useful and
easiest-kept animal We have is pushed aside
for those that often do tenfOld more dam
This very objection, so strenuously held
forth, is one OF the highest merits possessed
by sheep. liz is this quality of heing able TO
crop off the scantieSt herbiage that grows on
prOftless places that makes them desirable
as farm stock. Their ability to endure great
thirst or rather, u better state IL. do with
little water. enables to keep them in
fields not adapted To other stock. 1t is trne
they crop down To the very roots, leaving
but little; but the weed, as well as the use
full plant, receives the same treatment
and the waste matter that Is rejected
even by the hog Is an item IN favor
OF the keep of the sheep. There never has
been a pasture. nor a cultivated field, nor
barren waste that has not been benefited
when grazsd upon by sheep. The evenness
with which they spread their drOppings, the
treadiug of il into the ground with their
feet. and the constant motion kept up by the
flock that facilitates the disposal Of drop
pings, prevents not only the sighting OF any
portion of the land. but enriches IL TO a de-
gree beyond even the suPposition of those
who are aware OF such advantages. The
close grazing is thus not an actual loss OF
grass, for by a frequent change of pasture
and reseedings the sheep leave the land in
condition to produce q much greater
quantity than before.
Let any farmer select a pasture and stock
it with sheep giving them privilege 10 eat
as close as they wish. Let him smother his
feelings of horror AT the sight of disappear
ing grass, and patiently wait-walt till the
season for breeding and marketing is over
and then figure up the receipts and expenses,
valuing his pasture at its worth at the time
the sheep were placed therein. With all the
objections that can be conceived against
them the farmer will find that for the
amount of capital invested in the sheep,
he has realized more than from any other
animals on the farm, and this will not in
clude an item that belongs in favor of the
sheep, which is the increased fertility i'm
parted To- the land. In fact, it is quite a
difficult matter to keep sheep without profit
They pay in the face OF every obstacle. Most
farmers delight To keep up old pastures, but
old pastures in time become well run out
| and weeds and undesirable grasses usurp
the places OF better grOwths. The cure for
such pastures is the close cropping Of the
sheep that cleans it of all-ihe bad as well
| - the Eotu lIlS against ClOSt
cropping is an error.
In claiming that sheep are more profitable
than other STOCK, this assurance will be
d )ubly fortified if farmers will cross the
sheep with thoroughbred rams. If great
csrcaSSes aud long woods are wanted use the
COtswold but this breed needs a little better
pasture than Others. IL the tineness and
weight Of the wool is desired try the MerinO,
but do not expect large sheep from them, As
they are the smallest breed, but the best. and
very hardy. Il M alton is needed, w tn good
middle quality of wool, try the Southdown,
with its DARK face and legs as its badge OF
purity, aud the result will be satisfactory.
| The flock will be improved, the prices
greater and the weight OF carcass and fleece
increased. Sheep will pay even when badly
/ treated, sometimes; but like other stock
care and attention bring their reward, the
| farmer being more than repaid for any
trouble they give. Give them the pasture,
keep large tiocks, and let them crop close if
they wish, for they will pay their debts in
full at the proper time.