The Somerset reporter., 1890-01-30
FARM, GARDEN AND
HOUSEHOLD.
Sheep In N alne.

Mr.. L. C. Libby of Burnham, who is As
well-known in Brighton and Boston
markets perhaps, as in Maine, from his
extensive live stock operations, last year
demonstrated by the feeding of 1900
sheep In one bend on his farm at Burn
ham, that sheep even in such large num-
bers could be probably fed here In win
ter.
This winter the Messrs. Libby-Mr.
Libby's sons are associated with him I'M
der the firm name of the Libby Company
are feeding two thousand sheep.
1t was a novel sight for Maine farms
TO fluid SO large a number of sheep fed In
one body. The operation can hardly be
called an experiment, as Mr.. Libby as
sured me of his confidence In the plan OF
prontably feeding store sheep picked up
IN the farms of the vicinity where he
lives, as this large flock was, and he felt
justified In placing the net profit at 81 per
head.
As may be inferred, this body Of sheep,
bought In lots from ten to fifty from
farmers In Waldo and Somerset counties,
represent variety Of breeds, sizes and
conditions. This presents the case Of the
farmer who owns flock Of fifty to one
hundred sheep of such quality as may be
found on many farms In this and pro-
badly other New England states, In a
favorable ght, for as MIR. Libby remark
ed, 1t Is easier to realize a profit In feed
ing smsller focks than on such large
Numbers together.
Corn Ia the principal grain fed to this
flock Of sheep, with bright, early cut hay.
| 1t takes sixty bushels of corn-half the
quantity fed night and morning with one
ton Of hay,-lO00 lbs. Of shorts and ten
bushels of roots per day, for Mr..
Libbys 20s5 sheep.
A point Mr.. Libby especially emphasiz-
ed In sheep feeding for market was feed
ing them principally upon turnips instead
Of grain. He Is codhdenJ just as good
results can be obtained and at much less
cost. He cited an instance Of neighbor
of his who last year fed small flock OF
sheep entirely upon turnips instead OF
corn, giving the accustomed quantity of
hay, which In q given time dressed of
better than his own fed on corn. He,
Mr.. Libby, marketed the neighbours lot
The Rutabaga turnip, also other vari.
etles that keep well till into winter, can
be grown cheaply and In large quantities
1t Is seldom our seasons are not favorable
to good turnip crop and given the pro.
per Guilty alton they may be grown with
the improved tools now obtainable
While turnip-growing and sheep fatten
ing In New England may not compare
with old England with its moister eli
mate, yet In connection with this form OF
feeding out the crops to the larger breed,
Of sheep-the Southdowns. Hampshire
d0wns, snd 5nfOpsnires-the two enter
prises combined seem to offer such goot
results as warrant sheep owners turning
their attention more extensively to thl.
form OF meat productions.
The black-faced varieties Of sheep art
the best to feed for mutton, the Merint
being too small, too slow n maturing anc
altogether unsuited to the business The
latter, said Mr.. Libby, should be bznisheC
from the state.
The possibilities, Of dairying and sheer
raising, are long ways ahead of beef
Dairy farming and hog raising go to
gether, and both are q sure process Of
fertility. Grow the grain upon the farm
for the COWS, and the corn apd turnip.
for the sheep. The old-fashioned yellow
corn crop which many of our farmers
have discarded, should be grown at home
mixed grains--Oats, peas, wheat ant
Darley,-grOwn for the dairy cows In
stead Of sending West for everything fec
but the bare hay to produce the buttel
made; grow turnips for the s. eep and q,
one who has tried 1t says, realize 4l5 Q
ton for their hay, and sl.0O per bushe
| for the corn.
And then the process of renovation Of
the farm Is steadily progressing. This il
one of the most feasible ways to purchase
superphOsphate.
There are other points which have 9
bearing upon the question Of profitable
sheep husbandry, one Is to keep the fioch
progressive In quality and vigor. Nc
farmer can long afford to keep poor sheer
or poor cows. The best Is none to gooC
and none other pay nearly Is we'll Breed
ing up to higher standard of excellen {
should be the constant aim of every farm
er.-L. f. Abbott in Massachusetts Plou
yhmsn.