Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-12-12
Sheep Jnterest.
THE MOST PROFITABLE GRADE
OF SHEEP.

We do not need to argue the point of
certain profit in sheep, as the last few
years have proved conclusvely that all
adverse influences combined have failed
to entirely sweep away all profit in sheep
husbandry. But the last few years have
served to introduce a somewhat different
phase of breeding, whether with profit
or not remains to be seen.
In conversation last summer with
woolen manufacturer took some pains
to ascertain the quality of wool most
suitable to manufacture the best selling
goods, and those most in demand and
was somewhat surprised to learn that the
great bulk of wool used in the manufact-
ure of goods was classed among the me-
dunn combng and delaine woods, and
not among the pure delaine or a some
what coarser grade, as had expected.
And | learned still further that the
wool produced from the majority of our
fine-wool sheep was just what was need
ed in largest quantities, and also that the
foreign wool so much harped about by
United States Congressman and Senators,
necessary to mix with homegrown wool,
existed only in their Imagination, and
that American wool was capable, if rails
ed in large enough quantity, of filling all
the wants of the American people.
Many flockmasters have been deuded
into mixing coarser grade of sheep
with their Merinos, thinking they were
filling the demands of trade: but such APP
pears to be fallacy. Very many of our
Merlno breeders have made what is
known as the Shropshire Merino cross;
but except for mutton lambs tins is "A very
unfortunate cross, and will if persisted
in have tendency to very much demora-
lie our best flocks. True, where IA small
flock only is kept, and one desires no
further increase, mutton lambs are a
source of considerable profit, but many
cases the lambs are sold much sooner
than they should be. or more likely they
are not grown nearly so fast as good pro-
fit would dictate.
Some years ago fed bunch of lambs
produced by Cotswold sire on Merino
ewes, and succeeded in making the
bunch average 1876 pounds at eight
months, for which | obtained five cents
per pound, showing much greater prof
it than could be had from fully matured
sheep, unless of superior shearng quail
ity.
Often the high price of mutton lambs
has tendency to persuade very in many
that the sale of lambs is much more prof
liable than the production of fine-wool
lambs, and if quick returns is the thing
sought often such may possibly be the
case. But if only a nominal price is OBJ
tanned, which the majority get, would
fully as soon risk fine lambs. as have
never failed to see the time when good
tne-wooled lambs, well grown, would
not bring three dollars per head. Last
year shcared ninety-five head of fine
in wool S2l3. Forty-five head were sold
consisting of wethcrs and the Oldest
ewes, making Sl15 more: while thirty
one lambs raised would have made near
ly the hundred more had | sold them.
! This was very fair profit for one year,
namely, S5ll and yet it might have been
only half the above amount had paid as
little attention to quality in breeding as
very many do, and used a cheap sire.
Nearly thirty years ago became con-
WINGED that six-pound sheep were not
worth stopping at, and so persisted in
using thoroughbred sires of strong frames
and heavy shearng qualities, until at
present, and for many years, my average
has gone up to 50 and % pounds of well
washed wool.
do not say that the growing of mutton
lambs from fine females is Improbable,
but do say that ! have never been
obliged to resort to any such scheme to
make my flock pay good dividend.
have bred to fine-wOol sires, and have al
ways had the assurance that no obstacle
had been placed in the way to prevent
keeping up to the standard in both quail
ity and profit. Should think of raising
mutton lambs | should use my oldest
ewes, and avoid what consider the bad
effects of Il mingling of coarse blood in
the first impregnation of young ewes.
Still another important item in keeping
the flock pure in the Merino blood is the
advantage of larger flock than can be
kept together of the coarser grades, and
one which at present is worth keeping in
view, as they bear much closer herding
and thrive much better than when mixed
with coarser grades w. ID. Crout in
Stockman and Farmer.
you've frozen your ears" Is COM
mon remark. Battle in JohnsOn's Ano-
dYne Imminent.