The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-02

Some Points for the Determination
of QuaIity-A Breed Especially
Fitted for Exposure to Moist Com
Gitions of Atmosphere - Some
Suggestions as to the Profitable
Management of Sheep.
AS matter OF interest to farmers who are
contemplating the starting of locks of sheep
the following points of the sheep line are re-
printed from the Rural New Yorker. This
animal is a fayorite with many growers, Both
for wool and mutton. The paper named says:
The first importation of any account here
was made about forty years ago Both here
and in England, these sheep have taken many
prizes in the mutton classes. The face is
dark Srayish or brown the wool going we'll
down to the eyes. and with no trace of horns;
the legs darker than the face almost
black; The head longer than in the South
down, the ears larger, while the wool is
ciose-set and longer in staple,
According to the description of typical
Shropshire, adopted in connection with the
scale OF points by the American Shropshire
association. they are deep and large in breast
ana through the heart back wide, straight
and We'll covered with lean meat and muscle;
wide and full in thigh; deep in flank; skin
thick but soft, and OF a pink color; promi-
rent, brilliant eyes, and healthful counte-
nance. In fair condition when fully matuTed,
rams should weigh not less than 225 pounds
and ewes not less than 175 pounds. They
have a good carraige head well up. elastic
movement showing great symmetry OF form
ana uniformity of character throughout. The
body is well proportioned, medium bones,
great scale and length, well finished hind
quarters, thick back and loins, twists deep
ana full, standing with legs well placed out
side. Breast, wide, and extending well for
ward Head short, and broad; wide between
ears and eyes, short from top of head to tip
OF nose, ears short and of medium size.
i cad should be we'll covered with wool to
nj lNa NTH
pcarance OF horns. The neck is Of medium
length, good bone and muscular development,
and especially with the rams. heavier toward
the shoulders, we'll set high up, and rising
rom that point 10 the back of the head
Legs are broad, short, straight Well-set
apart Well-shaped, and well-wOoed to the
knees
The body is well covered with fleece of
eve, even length and quality. The wool IS
medium, such as is known in markets as
medium deaine, and half combng strong
line, lustrous fiber. without tendency to mat
or felt together and at one years growth not
less than 3l4 inches in length.
Shropshires are especially fitted by con-
dItons under which they have been raised
not likely TO do so well on the dry ranges of
the Southwest but are likely to be good for
crossing on the middle woods in such locali-
ties.
H. P Miller, Of Ohio, recently communt
Gated to the Orange Judd Farmer some adj
vice based On experience, concerning the
profitable management of sheep. This 10 what
Mr.. Miller se-s:
Let The ewes drop their first lambs after
warm weather and grass have come in the
spring. Grass Is the best milk producer and
younS ewes need 1t to enable them TO nour-
Ism their lambs satisfactorily From the late
Weaned lambs ! would renew the breeding
MOCK for l believe il will be much more sat
lsIactory, for many reasons, to grow ones
own ewes These lambs. of course, should
q n al 4
mock and for them 1 should use a mature
ram. The male lambs of this crop NAV be
sent to The mutton market at 10 or IL months
OF age. II Merinos they will sell better when
Sh"rn than in full fleece.
Whether to breed the ewes for a second
crop or eve lambs or not should be deter
mined by the need Of more ewes Under
well established flock on this plan two crops
or lambs OF this class would be required TO
keep up the number of the entire flock The
second or third crop of lambs from any class
or ewes should have weaned in March
The age at which a eve should drop her
nrst lamb depends somewhat upon the breed
but more upon the care she has been given
When they have been pushed to rapid ma
turlty ewes may raise a lamb at two years
OF age But they should be fed so as to
continue to grow during their third and
fourth years, which they will 10 after this
temporary check. If the wool will approx
2ately pay for their keeping I prefer they
9aouid not raise lamb until three years old
,halslng q lamb Will reduce the fleece 20 per
Dent in weight and the possible carcass weight
about 10 per cent. Hence a lamb raised before
the eve is mature is not entire gain. With
nee nrst lamb at three years of age a eve
may raise four lambs and be put upon the
market herself fat at six years of age
On the average 100-acre farm $50 to ga
sheep ought to be kept, besides a team and
two cows. Under a conservative calculation
the sales should amount to $3.50 or above for
each year. This should be practically net
ana J.
easily provide the necessary feed and care
for that number This l think will compare
not unfavorably with the incomes from aver
age lC0-acre farms managed along other
lines.
Not much is to be said in regard to feed.
We have more to learn in methods of feeding
imam IN the growing of our food products
but we shall probably do we'll to initiate our
Canadian neighbors in the growing of more
root and forage crops