Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1884-05-15
Summer y eep Husbandry.

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Summer y eep Husbandry.
Before turning the fiock to pasture.
each sheep should be well trimmed and
tagged about the tail and rump. and
the closer this is done the better. As n
slight guide to the mount Of pastursge
required, il NAV be stated that about
SIX sheep viii eat as much rs one COW,
the proportion depending. of course. on
the size of the sheep and COW. They
viii sisO eat much that cattle would re-
ject in the shape of weeds. etc. Finer
grasses grow where sheep have pas
tured; their close cropping induces lat
eral growth. and the gentle pressure of
their feet consolidates the soil without
pOaching il. and fine sward Is formed.
When Just turned 10 grass. sheep viii
eat greedilv. and as this has a relaxing
effect, it IS well to continue giving them
Little dry grain for few DAYS, which
viii counteract this tendency. This is
one of the strong points in favor Of feed
ing roots to sheep during winter. or even
the latter part of that season. for they
will then pass from hay to grass without
II only limited supply Of roots is on
hand they should be reserved for feed
ing TIL toward the opening OF spring.
When sheep are on pasture they
should have sufficient of it. Access
10 water they must have. and salt
shOulss be given them ut least occasion
ally 1his should not be thrown on the
ground. to be licked up with quantities
OF earth; il should be given in a trough.
The care-taker. when he visits them.
should take a little grain with him 10
keep them familiar For the dog nul-
sance il Is difficult to provide a remedy.
The proper one would be such dOg-tax
IS would secure the annihilaiion of all
ours and mongrels. Bells hung around
the necks Of n few 0f the sheep are
partial protection. but the hardened
sheep killer - cares for ncne of these
things" and Is impervious 10 anv argu-
ment short Of shotgun. II the fock
is trained TO come to the barn at night
they viii be safe
Lambs NAV BE- weaned when from
four TO five months old. They and their
mothers should be separated. and PLACED !
in lots out of sight of each other. and
along with the young things should be |
put three or four wetbers or dy ewes D. /
keep them tame. They should have |
good pastures and little grain daily, |
whereas the ewes should he temporarily |
stinted for the purpose Of drying ur
tHeir milk Shearing time viii, how /
ever. have arrived ere this. when the /
flock should first be passed in review
and dirty locks of wool be cut OF: then /
the sheep should be washed. and in fOm |
or i've DAYS. or as soon rs the wool i |
dry. they may be shesred-
just aS long as wOOl-buvers DIS
criminate against anwashed wool to the |
extent OF oEe-third Of the weight of
fleece, il will pay 10 wash the sheep. as
the we ght Is not leSsened 20 that ex-
tent IN washing the wool Sheep wash
ing Is not such 4 dreadful undertaking
as many imagine; four men-twO in the
water and two 10 hand the sheep from
the pen-w.ll easily wash fifty sheep in
a forenoon The pool should be dcen
enough to take the sheep of its feet,
and have a sheliering gravelly bank.
where the dripping animals can regain
the land Washed sheep should BE-
sheared on grass TO keep the wool
clean. the accessories being a pen 10
inclose the sheep. and a rough table on
which to roll up the wool. Notice
should be tak1n of the quantity and
quality of the wool of individual sheen
for future guidance. II ticks are
on sheep OF lambs they are
very harmful. and both should be
dipped Immediately OF soon after
shearing in \ preparation which viii
destroy the ests-a decoct:On of tobac-
co with little sulphur added is as good
as anything. The lambs should be
sheared in August. This is an innOva-
hon on the custom of this country. but
/ viii be found to have good eject on
their growth. and before the arrival of
winter they viii have acquired fresh
1eece quite sufficient to protect them.
In reDOvating wOrn-Out lands sheen
nay play very impOrtans part. pro-
Tlded green crops are grown on the
aDds, 10 be consumed thereon by
sheep inclosed on plot after plot by
hurdles; for as they feed they
enrich the soil with their well-scaftered
froppings- Roots can never form IS
important factor in shcep-raising and
,rOp rotation here rs in England, where
. large proportion OF the acreage of
'ach farm is devoted to turnips. TO be
ed of on the land BY sheep. tcgether
With some gain thus sheep are fat-
ened, and the land is manured and pre-
jared for wheat OF barley. This ca
10; be done here, fore If roots could
yrOwn as successfully as in England.
would be frozen fast in the ground
ust at the time they would be most
vanied. But though roots can not,
'reen fodder crops can be grown. an0
Is 10 these. in connection with sheep,
hat the farmer should trust for the
of the fertility Of much oi
rs land IL must be understood, how I
yer. that this plan IS simply means
. an end. that end being the capacity 5
I the land TO grow clover. Land tbs: !
MI grow good crops of clover wiz
row, or can be made 10 grow. anything. c
-fftEe Essay, 90 Ruraf Nes0 Korker. !