The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-06-12
Strong Plea for Sheep.Raising.


AS this is the season for the sheep
to yield his rich fleece to pay for the
care and keep Of the owner for the
last year it is natural that we should
feel more than usual interest in his
life and health, and then it is the
time that he is most exposed to attacks
of rowing dogs, when they hunt the
rabit and find the sheep, which they
regard almost as much their legitimate
game as the rabbit, and, unless the
dog has been trained to understand
that the sheep are not for him, he will
attack them wherever he finds them,
especially if there is more than one
dog, as it is'a frolic with him, and the
more company the better he enjoys
the fun, though [ have had sheep
killed by a solitary bull dog; hounds
like to run in packs.
What pity it is that our farmers
feel so little interest in the sheep,
since it is so easy to raise small
flock, which pays greater per cent Of
profit than any branch Of the farming
interest! Such is my experience. l
have been keeping sheep for more than
40 years and they have given me bet
ter pay for care and feed than any
other animal, and even if one dies be
does not die insolvent, but he has
either paid in advance or has on his
back enough wool to pay his debts.
Then it comes in at time when the
purse becomes light.
The sheep yields three crops every
year, lambs, wool and manure. Any
one Of these will pay his board. What
other crop will do as well, and but for
the extra trouble of looking after his
safety, to guard him from the dog, the
profit would be greater.
On every ffty-acre farm in this
State pasturage could be found for ten
or more sheep, which would about
clothe an average family after paying
for feed. (
I have kept moro or less sheep for
over 40 years and have fewer now than
ever before, but they make up in
quality. We sheared from our breed
ing ram % pounds Of wool in the dirt;
four ewes yielded 1871, 16, IS, Il
pounds. This is merchantable wool
in the dirt, which means one-third
less than brook washed wool, that is,
it is sold and one-third deducted to
make it equal to brook washed wool.
These are highly bred American Meri-
nos. We could not expect 80 much
from large aook. My old fashioned
Merinos averaged about six pounds of
beautiful wool, better than these heavy
feeces.
Now is there no way that can be de-
vised to so interest our people in the
sheep that they will send representa-
tives to the Legislature pledged to
enact a rigid dog law? It is now so
that there are other weighty reasons
why the dogs should be thinned out
and to restrain the liberties Of what
are left. Only few days ago I heard
Of relative being bitten by a mad
dog; our County has not been clear Of
mad dogs six months at time in 20
years, and while member Of the Legis-
lature I tried to get bill through tax.
ing dogs, but it was ridiculed out Of
existence. Such is the experience of
all who have tried to restrain the dog
to his owners premises, and it is
shame while men cry reform to let the
dog cost the State millions of dollars
for what mischief he does and what
harm he does in preventing farmers
from raising millions Of sheep. The
dog is chargable with all Of it, and our
farmers are tame enough to submit to
it while they could control the matter
if they would.
Our State is well adapted to sheep
husbandry; we have grasses that t make
fine pastures; land is cheap and fertile,
and winters mild. We only have to
feed four or five months and often not
that much. I do hope to live to see
this State raising sheep by the mil
lion. Then prosperity would come
and people be at peace.
j. WASHINGTON WATTS.