Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-08-27
Wisdom for sheep Breeders.

DR.. Galen Wilson, the noted writer
and sheep breeder, was recently ap-
Piled to by new beginner in the sheep
business for advice. The inquiry and
reply which are interesting and in
structiye, are reproduced from Wool
Markets and Sheep, as follows: Il
have lately engaged in the sheep
business. Have seven head of yearliDg
ewes and three lambs. and will soon
get two ewes and three lambs more,
the latter registered Shropshires. The
ones l now have are infested with
ticks. Can I exterminate the ticks,
and how? Will the ticks get a
start in the pasture and trouble in after
years If l turn TO pasture before 1 get
rid OF them? These are the first sheep
ever owned. and 1 will be pleased TO
nave you give an article telling how TO
run my flock to a success. The seven
ewes now have are grade Shropshires,
as are their lambs. l want TO accumu-
late flock of so to 100 head, finally all
TO be pure-bloods. How can 1 manage
them to secure the most profit?' Max
ing inquiries to get right start is an
earnest that you love sheep and a guar
antee Of success. To get rid Of ticks
when you sheer the ewes in the spring,
dip both ewes and lambs in any Of the
dips on the market. 1t pays well 10
dip all sheep, both spring and fall.
Ticks viii not infest pasture field /
They are unlike the scab insect about 4
that, and several species Of the inter-
nal parasites. You have selected your /
breed; now use none but pure-bred 4
Shropshire rams, and change every I
season for rams not of family relation
ship. 1 think sheep more sensitive TO
bad effects of inbreeding than any
other domestic animals. I saw a flock
that had been bred in-and-in for four
'easons and about half Of the last crop
lambs were idiots. Observe these
.dles few years and all Of your flock
viii be strong and vigorous pure
bloods. You have sheep Of English
blood and for best success you should
give them English care If you do not
they will deteriorate. This care
means good pasturage in summer, and
cultivated succulence, like rape, for
droughty weather in late summer and
fall. There is no doubt but that rape
IS valuable addition TO fodder paints {
tor sheep in this country. For winter
feed clover hay is best: but as sheep :
ike variety, some other kind OF hay, .
corn fodder and straw may be alterna-
ted with it. Some kind of succulent
feed in winter is almost a necessity for
the English breeds; and it is better
for all other breeds than dry feeds
alone. For succulence, either corn
silage, beats or turnips will answer;
put preferably all three, for variety. A
very little grain of any kind is fed in
winter. Sheep should have access to
salt every day in the year. Salt is a
great worm preventative, and goes far
Is a remedy. Never pasture sheep on
ow wet ground, nor where they can
get stagnant water to drink. Their
water to be pure, and so situ-
tied that they can get it without wet :
ing their feet. They are about as :
-fraid Of this as they are of a dog. !
Who ever saw sheep wade into water :
o drink, as other animals do? Wet
eet tends to cause hoof-ail in sheep r.
nd they know it instinctively and
void stepping into water when posi- =
lie. Sheep of English blood should be -
oused from very cold weather and =
rom all severe storms. Their wool ,
!; not greasy 10 aid in shedding rain. =
heir fleece vets through easily. and
18th this wet, they must feel like a
ian with a wet overcoat on. Male
Imbs are to be castrated when two OF -
Tree days of age. They feel it less
len than later A few days after this
leir tails can be amputated. If both
'e done at the same time the shock
greater. Now that you are COM
encing the business, trust you will
solve to have your flock tame and do
lie. Have them as the Holy Writ
Us: MY sheep know my voice and
ey follow me-" Nothing is said in =
e Bible about driving sheep; yet in GO
is country. as in no other, it is nearly n
| drive, drive" 1t is the nature OF hA.
eep to follow. Driving worries them KIN
d worried sheep lose flesh. Ths
eatcst proof of a person being DUAL. Tn
ed shepherd is, that his sheep heed lar
5 voice and follow him. This is cas- mi
accomplished. Bring up a cosset lit
NIB or two; or teach two or three &c for
ink milk when running with theiI of
ms. abb
fro
Clover for Seed.-If the farmer WANT nor
ron of clover seed he should cut ths -,