The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-08-27

| 1dGOG HhO GIO AO44g 9A0 ~"
oats, miIlet, peas, mustard, p~lantain,
rape, sorghum, corn, kafhr corn,
velvet beans, and, not lastly, Ber-
muda grass, Johnston grass, orchard
grass, &C., according TO the land and
season. The object being to produce
an abundant crop of succulent sum
mer growth of vegetation suitable
for sheep. Any n or all of these
may be d~epastured in the ordinary
way, or may be turned onto an hour
morning and evening, or used with
portable fences or hurdles, a small
section at a time, or the feed may be
cut and fed to the sheep in their
barns twice a day on the soiling plan.
This latter plan will pay far be-
yond the views of most people. The
manure secured by this way becomes
a prime factor of profit.
This kind Of summer grazing and
feeding with aid of wild grass and
heritage in the near timber lands,
and native TO Southern farms and
plantations, would constitute an
abundance of summer sheep feed.
By blowing under a portion of the
crop, especially pea and bean vines,
the land would be in improved state
for a crop of corn or cotton and ma
nure enough from the sheep to rich
ly fertilize the crop.
From the standpoint of my object
lesson of fifty ewes, with their fifty
lambs, on an 16O acre farm, the situa-
ton of the summer feeding above
described can readily be compre-
hended.
Eight times that many ewes-with
their lambs-on eight times that
many acres can be fully grasped in
the mind of those at least who are
fortunate enough to have the land.
At risk of repeating, I will say
that it has been practically demon
strated by So%utherners, hundreds of
times, that about fifty ewes with
lambs, on about 16O acre farms have
been the most profitable part of their
business, even when managed in a
"half slipshod way" The forego-
ing chapters describe a way by which
the maximum of profit may be at
tanned.
So 400 ewes surrounded by the
same conditions described for the so
will, IS certainly secure equal sue
cess and profits with them, accord
ing to numbers and even more be-
cause there will be an economy of
time and other expense readily ap.
piled to. the large number that can
not extend to the lesser one.
Now turning our thoughts to the
ewes and lambs in the month of Au-
gust, we see that the lambs must be
weaned. A lamb that has been
properly fed and cared fer need not
run with the dam over four months.
Weaving is not a difficult matter,
and yet it requires care to prevent
fretting aud loss of flesh as much as
possible. 1t is custom with some to
wean gradually that is, after taking
the lambs off, burn them back to the
mothers every day or two for a week,
''to get a SUCK" to help them along
and keep the mothers bag from
spelling. Her milk is likely to be
overheated and the lambs digestion
impaired in consequence.
To me it seems far preferable TO
first keep the flock on rather dry
pasture and dry feed for a week,
then at once remove the lambs to a
clover, pea or other green pasture as
succulent as possible, not allowing
them either day OF night to be in
hearing of their mothers.
Have them used to a little bran or
other feed before weaving, so as TO
regulate their digestion and prevent
scours, now increase it judiciously,
seeing also that they get their salt
mixture and water conveniently.
In two or three days at most they
will have entirely ceased fretting
and commence to live an independ
ent life. A pet weather or dry eve
might we'll be with them a few weeks
as a leader.
SAMEUL ARCHER.
Marion, Mcdowell Co., N. G.