Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-02-11
Agricultural.
Raising Winter Lambs.

The agitation in favor of better sheen.
more mutton and early lambs has had
wonderful effect on sheep breeders With
in the past ten years, and farmers who
could see no profit in sheep except from
wool are learning that the wool Of the
sheep is very small matter compared
with the keeping Of sheep for The pro.
duction of choice mutton and early
lambs. The Merino bread, veil
known, is the one the is specially
adopted for the productioa Of wool, The
ewes seldom exceeding weight Of 70
pounds each They have hardipess in
their favor, however, and eau be kept
in larger Aocks and on poorer pastures
than some breeds, but their small size
is an obstacle in the production of eA-
lambs that are desired to grow to large
size in short time. AS week some
times makes difference between high
and ordinary prices, the lambs should
be from large and strong parents, aud
should grow rapidly from the start
The ewes will begin to drop lambs as
early as January, but the majority of
early lambs come in February and
March. The experienced breeder has
a warm place prepared in advance, and
every eve is carefully watched, as the
chilling Of lamb when very young
may give it check from which it may
not recover. The object is to push the
lamb from the beginning, so as to get
it into market before the main 'crop"
comes.
PROFITS DERIVED.
The Maine State Board of Agricul-
ture, which has investigated the raising
Of lambs in that State, has secured the
opinions Of leading farmers who have
been successful. The large mutton
breeds were preferred and the profits
depended upon the pasturage and the
cost Of the ewes during the year. One
farmer maintained that lambs could be
raised at a profit if sold from $3.50 to
$l.75 each, bat that lambs dropped in
January, when two months old. will
sell for from IS to IS each. An early
lamb at that age costs but little, bring
ing larger sum than an adult sheep
and the wool it produces. 1t is con-
ceded. however, that it costs something
to keep the sheep that produces the
lamb, but the wool will usually pay for
the sheep and the lamb if no food is
purchased of the farm, provided the
fleece is up to the average. One breeder
sold all Of his lambs on the LIST of July
at So 25 each, but they could not have
been early, as another sells early lambs.
dressed about thirty pounds each, at
from $40 to S15, the lambs being
cross Of SouthdOwn and Dorset, the Dor
set being very prolific, but the prefer
ences differed 10 favor of Oxfords,
Hampshires, Shropshires, Southdown
and Dorsets. Many Of the breeders
preferred to have their lambs come 10
May, as the conditions are then better.
ard they sell in July and August at
from So to 81 each
MANAGEMENT IN WINTER
High prices are paid only when the
supply is below the demand, and, though |
it is not difficult to have lambs come
early, there is some risk of loss. and the
care and labor required, to insure sue.
cess is more than some are willing to
bestow. 1t is for that reason that the
majority of farmers do not give more
attention to the business. If the weather
is severely cold, and the lamb is born
at night, or when no care can be given,
it may perish, hence not only must the
quarters be warm, crowding avoided and
the comfort Of the ewes be looked after,
but it may be necessary to have an at
tendant on duty at night. Then there
is the care Of the lambs whose dams do
not supply sufficiency of milk, fire.
quently the nursing being by hand, all
Of which details requiring constant work
if the number of ewes is large. But it
is the difficulty and care that causes the
prices to be high, aud the farmer who
is willing to perform all necessary duties
will be amply rewarded Many farmers
who have heretofore kept Merinos have
gradually changed the focks by the use
of males Of the mutton breeds, 80 as to
secure lambs. and in SO doing they have
foundation stock upon which to build,
but, while the selection Of the breed is
important, more depends upon the man
agement.