The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-09-05
SHEEP ~aUSBANDRY.

At a recent meeting Of the R1ra
Science Club, q students organization
of the University of Tennessee e, DIR
Thomas w. Jordan, Dean of the Acad
emic Department Of the University,
delivered en- address on Sheep Hus-
bandry. DR.. Jordan has been very
successful in raising sheep in south
western Virginia, and it is hoped that
the notes of his lecture will be helpful
to Tennessee farmers and farmers gen
orally. DR.. Jordan said:
The first step in sheep husbandry is
to get rid of the dogs, or protect your
flock from them. There is no legal
protection in Virginia or in Tennessee
against dogs. They have more votes
in the legislature than sheep. The
shot gun has been fairly effective, but
the loss has still been great. A dog
tax, the proceeds of which should go
first to pay for the destruction Of
sheep by the dogs, and secondly to the
public school fund, would seem to be a
simple solution.
Two classes of men are engaged in
the sheep business in South western
Virginia. People living on the rough
ridges and mountains raise ewes. The
valley farmers, with smoother and
richer lands, buy these ewes at from
two to six years Of age, when they
weigh from so to 100 pounds each.
The average price has been about 81 so
each.
As the prime consideration is lambs
for the early market, a Southdown
buck should be secured. The ives
may be of the common type, but they
should be strong and well-boned.
When a Southdown buck is used, the
lambs will be dark-faced, dark and
short legged, close, round and heavy,
and command the best price on the
market. Long-wooled sheep are not
desirable, because they suffer more
from the cold rains of severe winters
The long wool parting on their backs
allows the rains and SHOWS to reach
the skin, and this causes sickness.
The ewes are divided into groups of
about thirty five each, and n ram is
placed with flock about the middle Of
August. High feeding is not necessary
at this season, as the sheep should not
be fat; although they should be in a
thrifty condition. They should be
given a large run, and not be disturbed
or frightened. The same man or boy
should r for them regularly.
The lambs may be looked for between
the last OF January and the first of
March. This is the critical seascn
Negligence here makes the Gift renee
between good profits and no profits.
A good, open shed should be provided,
under which the lambs and sheep may
come and go at pleasure. Keep a close
watch that the coming of the lambs
may be known as OOH as possible. Toe
lambs are likely to make their appear
ance about daylight. Their legs may
be so stiff with cold before the lamb is
found that it is necessary to dip them
in spring water to thaw them out. But
whenever the lambs get up and begin
sucking they are likely safe. They
should be carefully shielded from the
weather for a few days, and then
turned into a wheat, rye, or barley
field, which has been soWn early. This /
will not materially il jure the crop, if
the soil is not too wet, and if they are
not kept on the land 100 la!e in the !
spring. SUCcllent food is necessary |
for the largest and best secretion of |
milk and the rapid growth Of the
lambs. A pint Of corn per day or q
ration of bran should be added. If no
grain feed is available, supplement-
with clover hay OF slIage. Roots are
very useful.
The ewes and lambs are turned on
the grass field about the first of April.
Continue the grain or bran ration.
The fields should be well sodded, pre-
ferably with bluegrass. TIE fcck will
not thrive well in a field of weeds and
briars. Ninety pound lambs for the
June market can be made on the best
grazing land. The ewes may be kept
on ordinary lands until another breed