The Portland daily press., 1883-06-19
THE PRESS.
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TUESDAY MORNING. June 10.
Sheen Husbandry.

Different localities have different condi-
ditions which modify, govern and control
the special husbandry of the farmer. A sec
ton where villages abound, or railway faci
tiles exist for sure and rapid communication
with the cities, will most probably be well
adapted to the production of choice butter
On the other hand, If the region is sparsely
settled, country rough and markets distant,
sheep will naturally come to the front and
be the leading item or specially. A large
portion Of the northern parts of Franklin,
Somerset and Piscataquis counties in
Maine, is, think, included in the region
last named. This section is also better
adapted to the grade Merino than to any of
the English breeds, as the latter are larger
and consequently require more food in win
ter, and better pasturing aud more of 1t, in
summer. They are also long-legged and re-
quire higher and stouter fences to keep them
than Merinos and their grades. A flock of
well graded Merinos is quiet and peaceful
slight fence three and ha'f feet high be-
ing sufficient 10 restrain them. Then they
will bear confinement in larger fiocks when
housed, and can be more readily looked up
and counted i'll the pasture. Cheap lands
may be had in the upper sections of the be-
fore named counties in their natural state
either Immediately adjoining the farmers
homestead, or but few miles distant, well
calculated for sheep pastures, being well
watered and having good soil. naturally,
for the production of grass. These lands
can be generally had on the outskirts of
almost any of our towns as cheap or cheaper
than the regulation price of Uncle Sans
wild land. This land can be cleared ready
to SOW to grain on "a burn" for $40 per
acre, at the same time seeding grass seed
with the seed grain. The first crop usually
pays all expenses. A plenty of timber grew
onthe ground, and moderate amount of
labor will rear tence that will stop sheep.
Thus the second year you have a pasture.
flush, that viii last long while, If good
selection and well managed, | may say, a
lifetime.
Now. if you have flock of 500 or 400
sheep that will cut fleece of five and half
or six and a half pounds of wool per head,
with hay enough cut on the homestead TO
winter them, think may say, ''fhr a farm
er, you'll do" If you have not hay enough
at hom to do it, Il can be pieced out by add
ing to your moving ground by the same
method you pursued in adding to your past
uring. Such an addition to your mannrial
resources viii soon tell upon the homestead
moving by such generous feeding of the
land that your hay crop will be dohbled and
possibly trebled. You viii notice that l
have not placep before you any impossible
or unatt~inabe average wei hit of fleece.
have only estimated six pounds, which is
readily attainable, when might have held
up other estimates of seven ereight er ten
ynd even twelve pounds averages which are
not so comon, but which exist within my
knowledge. Sheep husbandry is advantage
GUS over private dairying, that point where
1t relieves the woman of the family from the
close confinement at home, entailed by the
latter. Where sheep are kept, the wife the
mother and daughters cae more readily find
time to attend the meetings of the grange,
which have already proved so advantageous
to them socially and intellectually. Cor.
Mirror and Farmer.