The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-12-28
FARMERS INSTITUTE.
Continued From Last Week.

SHEEP ON MINNESOTA FARM.
Hon. M. F. Greeley OF Gary, s. D.,
is strong believer in utilizing all the
natural advantages possible in con.
Quoting farming operations. He says
Minnesota's glorious climate, sun.
shine and location can much of it be
turned into cash and consequently in
to the farmers pocket if mutton grow
ing is made leading feature upon
farms adapted to it.
FERTILITY AND WASTE.
He says twenty one years expert
ence in the sheep business has con-
WINGED him that no animal carried
upon the farm can equal the sheep,
either for keeping up the fertility or
for turning weeds, waste and other
coarse material into cash. Out of
about six hundred weeds and grasses
growing in the northwest, sheep eat
greedily about five hundred and
seventy-six, the horse eighty-four and
the COW about fifty-six.
WHAT BREED OF SHEEP.
Mr.. Greeley does not consider the
breed so material-if intelligently han
died, almost any of the mutton breeds
will make satisfactory returns. The
crosses however of the dark-faced
medium sheep, like Shropshire, Ok
fords and Southdowns upon some OF
the woods, such as Cotswolds and Lin
coins make strong business sheep for
the average farm, but might prove too
coarse for large flocks farther west.
YARD FEEDING AND EXERCISE.
He says it saves much labor as we'll
as feed and does much towards keep
ing up the health and vigor OF the
flock if they are fed whenever the
weather will permit in large open
yards or upon sod or pasture lands in
need of top dressing. In this way
corn stalks and other coarse fodder
can be fed and save much hauling to
and from the buildings. He advo-
Gates a portable net fence forty-fve
inches high for his outside feeding
yard. The exercise thus obtained
however is of the greatest Importance,
especially for breeding ewes. 1t goes
far towards insuring strong Wig orous
lambs and preventing trouble at lamb
ing time.
GRAIN PASTURING AND RAPE.
By judiciously utilizing these two
things, he says fair sized flock of
mutton ewes can be carried on the
average farm and their presence
scarcely take a., all from the number
of acres under cultivation. Pastur-
ing grain fields with sheep at proper
| times and proper seasons causes the
grain to stool we'll, adds to the yield,
tends to prevent lodging upon over
rich land. He says the rape plant
much resembles the overgrown turnip
tops and is late and rapid grower.
One and one-half pounds of seed, cost.
ing from six to ten cents if mixed with
the grain in the drill will sufficiently
seed an acre of land. When the grain
is removed the rape will grow rapidly,
furnishing vast amount of cheap but
very valuable fall pasture as we'll as
enriching the soil.
BUILDINGS AND FENCE.
| Sheep-sheds or barns, Mr.. Greeley
thinks, SO far north should be made sc
they can be closed in severe or very
stormy weather, but with wide doors,
SO that at other times sunshine and
pure air may flood them. High, well
drained yards and building spots are
desirable almost INDISPENSABLE. A
portable fence of net wire about thirty.
six inches wide is perhaps the most
economical as we'll as desirable fence
to use for sheep when the farm lacks
other fencing. Enough of this fence
to enclose twenty or thirty acres car
be made without great cost and can be
changed from one field to another by
two men in one day. It should be
fastened to the stakes and made into
as large rolls as can be handled con
veninetly. Thus armed with rape
fence and a flock of sheep, one is In
Opposition to clean and enrich his LAND
and at the same time greatly add te
the richness Of his pocket book. Wher
once in shape for sheep no stock cal
be carried on the farm with so little
llabor and chores. A we'll conducted
mutton growing farm, leaves its own
er and his family much time in which