The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-05-25
SHEEP AUsBANDKY.

far as can be sscertained from censu
reports, the number Of sheep killed 70
mutton, in the packing houses OF the Who'll
country, is only about two and quartz
millions, valued at s9,000,O 900. The numbe
OF fat sheep annually exported is insignia
cant, being less than quarter Of a million
dollars. OF the number Of sheep annual,
killed in retail ablishments, or for con
sumption in farmers homes, we have nj
data for estimates. Although mutton i
perhaps as nutritious, as digestible, and a
wholesome as any other meat, yet, from tn
infrequency with which mutton Ia seen
either upon public or upon private tables
it is safe TO say that it is not tavorite mea
with Americans, in comparison with bee
or pork. This IL attributed by some to tn,
small number Of really mutton sheep whicl
are kept in the country, in comparison
with the millions Of Merinos and MerinC
grades. That there ia no difference in quail
lty between the mutton Of the Seuthdowl
or Leicester and that Of Merino OF tn,
same age, IL q favorite fancy with son,
owners OF Merinos. II q Southdown, il
good feed, should have surplus OF nutri
ment above the needs Of the hour, anC
should distribute that surplus within
its body In the form Of juicy meat
we are not surprised that 1t bears upon III,
outside fleece OF such short, dry wool; so
when a Merino is well fed, and deposit
the larger share Of its surplus nutrlmen
upon the skin, in the form Of heavy
beautiful fleece, full Of yolk, i. is not sur
prising that it should not at the same time
produce the same juicy meat as the South
down. II there were no difference in the
quality OF the meat it would still! be evident
that Merinos arc not adapted Tor the pro
duction OF mutton in comparison with the
so called mutton breeds. The larger size
better form, and more rapid growth will
make the Fat lamb from Leicester OIL
Cottswold eve, either Of which give an
abundance Of rich milk, twice as heavy, il
not otherwise more desirable than q lamt
Of the same age from Merino eve. The
shearling wethers from good Leicester
flock will weigh from 100 to 200 pounds
and the two shears from 200 to go pounds
while Cottswolds and Lincolns weigh still
more. The earlier naturally Of most NUT
ton breeds, II nothing were claimed on the
score OF quality, would sufficiently prove
their superiority for the production Of NUT
ton, Down sheep, which have the reputa
ton OF afording mutton OF superior quail
", are some OF them considerably interior
10 Leicesters in size, while 0xiordshire anC
Shropshire Downs are as heavy as Lelces
ters, and in great repute as producers o.
mutton.
The variety ofmutton sheep for any farr
Is not question OF taste merely; itshoulc
be determined by the character Of the re
gion, and Of the soil uppn which the sheer
are TO 0e kept. Many years since, aftel
taking my medical degree in the city o
New York, l spent some time abroad
mostly in Great Britain and France
While in England l was surprised to see Sc
many distinct breeds of cattle and sheer
in so small & country. Seeking an expla
natioA, noticed that in every instance 9
different breed OF cattle or sheep indicated
a ditfsrent geological formation, aad con
stquently different soil. Running dag
onally through almost the center OF Eng
land, from southwest to northeast, there i
belt OF country where the rock is known
as lias and oolite. The soil upon these for
nations is well adapted for pasture, ant
upon this stretch Of land were almost al
the long. wool sheep OF the. country-Cotts
wolds, Leicesters and Lincoln; even one o
two detached sections oil similar soil in othe
parts Of the country also had similar sheep
70 the southeast OF the oolite is the creta
ceous formation, where the soil
thin and the heritage much less luxuriant
every sheep that l saw upon this section
was q down-Southdowns, Hampshire
downs aud OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. The Shrop
shiredowus were not in this section, bu
ever the western side OF the las upon tn
red sandstone. On the mountains o
Wales was 4 distinct breed; 30; also, upol
the Cheviot bills to the north OF England
and still another breed, the black,taced o
heath breed, on the mountains Of Scotland
A year or two since was speaking OF thi
relation between the geology Of countr
aud ito animal forms to Professor Brown Q
the Ontario Agricultural College at Guelph
when he showed me q volume he had writ
ten upon the subject, containing map
aud charts for illustration. He had put
sued the matter further than ] had done
aud was able TO give me many new and in
seresting facts. rr -..t7.s
80 long as adequate commercial proteC
ton enables the Ohio aock.master to groy
the best class OF clothing woods at q TAI
profit, be will doubtless prefer some styl
Of Merino sheep. II the best woods cal
no longer be produced here at a REASONABLE
profit, ii may become necessary TO groV
those Of coarser character, such as We usu
ally find upon mutton sheep. Coarse voc
fabrics appear to be more generally worl
than. formally, and the regulation blac
broadcloth suit Ia no longer the invariabl
and necessary, mark OF agentleman. j
order to utilize much Of the surface Of Obi
whichis better adapted to sheep and voc
growing -tban-to any other industry "
must continue' to keep sheep, selectin
whatever variety is best adapted to the 10
caliiy. and pays best. Except, perhaps
when dairyiHg Is made specially, sheeI
ot some kind should be kept on uearl.
every farm 10 the State. Sheep are cheal
FEEDER; they will pick up good living 10
atime in stubble field, saving feed tina
would otherwise be lost; they are useful L
keep down woods and bushes, and are con
yenient for cropping OFF the wheat tina
gets too rank In the spring. Two or tire
hSmers in 4 neighborhood by alternatel.
killing and dividing good sheep can keel
their families supplied with fresh met bot
summer and winter.
We sometimes hear the opinion express
ed that sheep are not thoroughly hardy i
Ohio; hut this opinion can scarcely be wei
founded. The annual loss Of cattle in th
State Is y per cent, Of horses 2 per cent, {
sheep by dogs and diseases combined 5 pc
can't, aud Of swine 10 per cent. Where
flock Of sleeps unhealthy, It should prof.
ably be attributed to unskilltul manage
ment; to q fAilure To recognize and arrel
parasitic dheases at their outset, or IroI
iailure to give sheep pastures good dresl
ing OF land plaster occasionally to suppl
! the sulphur which Is indispensable TO b
4 -. TO-