The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-26
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tHEEf.
There are places in the United States
for which neither the Merino nor the
heavier English breeds Of sheep are
adapted, and il becomes necessary at times
TO experiment with many breeds before
the right one IS found. Sheep husbandry
can only succeed in this country when the
right breed is found for the right place.
Sometimes this Is discovered by accident,
but more often it is only the result OF long
experience. In America not sufficient i'm
portance has been attached 70 the work Of
using many kinds of breeds to ascertain
fitness for certain sections. In a vast
country such as this, every climate, soil
and vegetable product is found. and IN
these various sections the animals likewise
differ In the small country of England
they have about twenty-three distinct
breeds of sheep, which are peculiarly
adapted 10 some portions of the country.
This is scientific sheep husbandry. and II
is toward this same end 70 which the indus
try is tending in the United States.
The American Merino is an adaptable
animal, and il would seem that between
this breed. aud the heavier ones, ali parts
of the country could be satisfied But
this is not true. Among the mountainous
regions Of the country there are needed
mountain sheep, entirely distinct and diff
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varieties. The English cheviot is q good
breed for many mountainous sections, but
there is another English breed which has
been introduced in this country TO a very
limited extent, and which promises great
things for such high places. The English
Lonk sheep is breed that is met with
and well adapted TO the hills in the north
of England, and in many respects it bears
striking resemblance to the black-faced
sheep of the Highlands of Scotland. They
are larger than the latter. however, and
they subsist very well upon the coarse
heather and shrubbery Of the high noun
famous districts. Nature has particularly
fitted them for their rough life among the
mountains, and so close-wooled are they
that drilling rains and SHOWS can hardly
ever penetrate TO their skins.
They are agile, quick. hardy and per-
fectly capable of caring for themselves
and their young in the toughest noun
famous regions. The rams are so strong
and plucky that they will fight, and gen.
orally overcome any ordinary antagonist
The same sheep when taken into q rich,
grassy region quickly improve and fatten
so that they produce good meat for the
market.
Their value as sheep for market and
wool products is high. The wool is long
and fairly fine, and known as combing
wool. a single ram win sometimes yield
ten and twelve pounds OF washed fleece,
the wethers eight and the ewes FIVE. The
mutton is fair, well favored and evenly
mixed with fat aud lean. This mutton Of
course takes on its character great deal
from the surroundings. When the feed
ing is good it improves immensely in
quality. and when it is wild and scattered
the flavor has peculiar gamey taste.
There is one thing certain, that the Lonk
sheep Is well adapted to many portions of
this country, and some enterprising sheep
raiser might find it profitable to breed
them for the mountainous district.
E. p SMITH