The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-06-28

the soil. Their manure is richer. pound
for pound, than that OF any other ami
NAL. Comparing sheep anu with
that Of other animals, we find that
sheep manure is worth o. 70 per ton,
while cattle manure is worth 50 81,
and horse manure 90 20 Sheep manure
ia more evenly distributed over the
field, and is thought Co be more readily
available. The profits of sheep depend
greatly upon the are and attention
they receive. During the cold winter
months and in rainy weather they
should be comfortably housed. Up to
the lambing season they should have
all the hay they can eat, and=the run
of an old pasture. After the ives have
lambed, they should be fed grain for
milk. As soon as possible, train the
lambs to eat in q separate pen. Give
them a little bran, oats and corn in
different proportions, and mixtures,
for lambs like a variety. Give them
some bright clover hay. Always feed
sheep and lambs clover hay. II you
have no clover hay, sell your timothy
hay and buy clover.
Lambs are the most playful Of ami
mails, and they never play SO well as
when they have a steep bank, a pile OF
old boards, or the butt Of an old straw
rick to run over. That they may have
this healthful exercise, something of
this kind should be provided for them.
As soon as possible in spring, turn the
flock into good pasture and shear as
early as safe, for the lambs will do
better afterwards.
We find the Cotswolds, Leicesters,
Shropshire Downs and Oxford Downs
on the best level and slightly rolling
lands of England; while the Hampshire
Downs, South Downs, Dorsets and
Cheviots are on the hills and rough
lands. The former are large mutton
breeds, accustomed to plenty Of feed
and the best treatment; while the lat
ter are harder and are usually more
prolific. For this locality, l think we
cannot do better than get the common
mountain ewes. When possible, select
Dorset grades, with motherly tenden-
cies. The Dorsets usually lamb earlier
and the lambs mature quicker than
others.
Always head your flock with q thos.
oughbred ram. The best to cross with
common ewes are the Shropshire Downs
and South Downs. The latter, I think,
have given the most general satisfac
tion.
The advantages and c~onveniences OF
q locality will determine the plan Of
breeding. In the mountains Of West
Virginia, where feed is scarce and there
are few conveniences for housing the
hocks In winter, the fai m 'rs aim to
have the lambs come In the spring
when pasture is luxuriRnt, and these
are sold to US the following fall q year
for stock ewes. In this locality, where
we have plenty Of feed and barn room,
our oil 3ct should be winter lambs. We
aim TO have the lambs come i'm Janu
airy and sell them in May. Many sell
the whole q Jck at the same time, which
is a very good plan if pasture is scarce.
II you get a good bunch of sheer and
have plenty OF pasture it may be best
to keep them over, for it is sometimes
difficult to get q new flock that has
been used to breeding late to breed
early enough. We must learn to raise
a fine quality of mutton for which
there is always a demand. Let wool
be a secondary object.
If the proper care and attention is
given to sheep, l believe they will pay
as we'll as any other stock, and better
than raising grain for sale. Twill give
you the record of a neighbours flock
for last season, and when we consider
the low prices then prevailing, I think
1t a good showing. From q bunch of
26 ewes be raised 40 lambs. These he
sold for $4.s5 each. The feeees sold
for six pounds at III cents, or 81 O5
each, making the total value Of one
seasons products IS, 81 per eve.