Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-20
SHEEP RAISING IN FLORIDA.

Interview with an Extensive Wool
GrOwcr-The Profits of the Industry
\ Wide Field in south Georgia How
the Business j. Conducted.
\ representative of the MORNING NEWS
had an interview Yesterday with Mr.. Jas.
:. Fielding. from near Buffalo, y. Y.
Mr.. Fielding is in the city on his way to
south Florida, where he intends to estab-
lish a large sheep ranch in a short time.
lie has Just closed a bargain with a party
near Palatka for the purchase of nearly
eight hundred acres Of pasturage land,
which be SAYS will be neatly and proper
IN fenced in before the first Of November.
Where will YOU purchase your stock: =
inquired the reporter.
i will 90 abroad some time during the
winter and Will select my stock from
south Downs in England. | shall take
with me two competent judges. and Will
select the finest stock TO be foUnd-the
south Down. the MerinO. the Algerian.
Syrian and other breeds, which ] am con-
iident will do well i'm the southern part of
this country. and especially in Florida
ana Southwestern Georgia.
DO YOU think the venture will pay -
asked the repOrte.
Yes. know of nothing that would pay
better than sheep raising. Yet, strange
to say. the industry has to a very large
extent been neglected by Southern people.
They seemed To have been Indifferent 10
that source Of wealth. Yet no State can
present a finer or more inviting field. and
one that would pay so well, and with SO
little trouble or risk. There are thou
sands OF acres of land that are open and
unfenccd. and upon which sheep could
craze without let or hindrance. The
GRASSES here begin To grow in March and
keen green until November. In the
southern portion of Georgia, and in Flor
ida. sheep can Craze the whole year
around and keep i'm good condition. There
is no expense or trouble but To watch
them. All that would be needed would
be shepherds to protect them from dogs
and those who might be tempted TO steal. =
You will no doubt make this a regu-
lar business and give it your attention.
Yes. | am determined to astOnish the
natives. | have been in the business for
a LONG time, but two years ago gave 1t up
and went into the tOwage business and
now | am going TO start fresh again with
nv pet occupation. In about three years
will have the pleasure Ofshowing you one
of the finest sheep farms i'm the Southern
country. II i my intention to eXpend at
least thirty thousand dollars in this
scheme, and / don't look upon it as a
wild land scheme either.
How much do you expect to make out
of this venture, as you say you are going
into it purely on business principles"
For the first two years It Will not make
expenses, but after the third year | will
begin 10 realize good income, and after
the first five years ! will begin to haul in
the ducats lively. / will have good mar.
kets for my mutton, and the wool ] will
deliver bv special consignments to my
| brother in Philadelphia
slow many hands viii you employ. and
how many dogs to watch and look after
/ your Sheep
i will procure and work into service
/ about four good families. building then
/ homes. and making everything around
/ them comfortable and pleasant, | viii
select my shepherd dogs abroad. and lOOl
! we'll that no mOngrelS are in a hundred
/ miles around. / have my shepherd Sc
| Iected. His experience is unquestiOned
as he has been for fourteen years follow
! ing the business in England"
you are very sanguine of success"
] =. Yes If industry, perseverance, capita
\ and experience is worth anything l have
/ every reasonable hope of success. L wal
first attracted to this locality through thu
! WEEKLY NEWS a year ago while on
! trim through the southwestern portion o
l the state