The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-12-14
Notes.

The annual meeting of the Michigan
State Sheep Breeders and Wool Grow
ers' association is to be held at Lansing,
commencing Tues day evening, Decem-
Der Is.
Within the last few years increased
attention is being paid to sheep, as
mixed farming is more and more
found to be profitable. ne time has
undoubtedly come when every farmer
should turn his attention more and
more to sheep. BreederS' Gazette.
AT Melbourne, Australia. in Septem-
Der, during sale OF stud Merlnos, all
intense excitement arose in the bidding
tor one fine ram, the contest resulting
in its being run up to the astounding
figure of $l5, 750-at least such Is the
statement of all Australian paper. IL
this statement be true, this is the high
est price on record for flock breeder.
-iStOchmdn.
Notwithstanding the remarkable
evenness of Australian wool, and its
popularity among manufacturers, the
fact that Australian shepherds are i'm
porting some of our breeding stock
which our sheep must have III special
excellence over theirs. The DISPOSE
ton to breed up and improve, in that
greatest sheep country on the globe,
is evidently stronger than ever before,
showing the American shepherd that
even sharper competition is to be ex-
pected few wears hence than we al
ready have. The way to prepare fol
this is to keep right ahead in the work
of improving the tine-wool breeds OF
this country -.StOckmdn.
Anexchange says: Wool growers are
still organizing at occasional points III
this and neighboring States, and the
opening of 1884 will find more loca
societies in existence than ever before
in the history of the sheep business
While protection interests are at The
bottom of all this effort to increase
local strength, they should not consti
tute the only reason for the existence
of these societies. They would bt
useful even if there was no such thing
as mistaken legislation on the part o
our congressional wiseacres. Wool
growers societies should be fount
where sheep are produced, and they
shOuld.like farmers clubs of all kinds
have stated and regular times to NEE
and discuss their mutual interests.
How long will it take to breed up
good flock of grades? is question ask
ed in the Boston Commercial Bulletin
and answered in the same paper a
follows: Suppose you begin will
your flock this fall, next spring yol
have Your half-bloods as the progeny
The next autumn the eve lambs ma
be bred, though it is not altogether
good practice to follow up, but yol
want a flock. In 1855 you have three
quarters bred lambs. In 1856 you hav
seven-eights, and in 1887 fifieen-siX
teen bred sheep. If you allow the eve
to be eighteen months old before breed
ing them, then the second cross will b
had in 1886, the third in 1888, and tn
fourth in 1890. Seven years is not
long time to wait for flock of shee
that will grade handsomely with tn
average of given pure-bred.
John sellers is the name of a YER
eccentric farmer who lives three mile
east of New Philadelphia, Ohio. IL
has a flock of sheep that not been shOr
for six years. The wool has grow
entirely over their eyes and is so lon
that it drags on the ground. The shee
have the appearance from distance G
big hay-slacks in The field. Upon be
ing asked why he did not shear hi
sheep, Mr.. Sellers replied; "God pu
the wool on their back to stay Their
and keep them warm, and | do NJ
propose interfering with His plans.
The flock is great curiosity and pee
pie come from miles around to see til
sheep. Mr.. Sellers never shaves G
cuts his hairs or finger nails. His hai
hangs down his back and has the al
perance of never having been combet
His whiskers are long and shaggy, an
his general appearance is entirely ditle
ent from other men. lie lives wit
his sister and owns a good farm. II
has never bought any improved farl
machinery, but all his tools are hom'
made. -Chicago Times.