Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-23

little or nothing. and with energy. pluck.
and true shepherds love for their calling.
rise steadily but surely 10 the goal OF sue
cess.
Wherever focks Of sheep are found
there viii be an improvement I'm the meth
DDS OF farming and the presence OF sheep
will be noticeable in the condition OF soil.
Unless there is some definite end 10 be
gained. remember that chipping sheep
twice a year lessons I'm some degree the
value os the wool by shortening the staple.
An excellent lamb food TO begin with Is
two parts bran and one part corn meal
or crushed oats or barley; and one part
cotton seed meal IL Il can be procured.
This is recommended by one OF England 5
greatest shepherds.
Rape is rapidly gaining favor as sheep
feed IL promises to make sheep breeding
more profitable than IL otherwise would
be by furnishing a cheap forage at time
in the year when pastures are usually
short and dry or altogether burned up by
the midsummer drought.
sheep should never be turned on rape
when hungry. There is not much danger
OF their blOating IL they are turned on
gradually M first. allowed free access to
an old pasture held, and furnished with
plenty OF salt.
All coarse fodder is more valuable for
manure after IL is passed through an ami
NAL In ordinary circumstances no farm
er should neglect feeding a certain num-
Der or sheep. IL for no other reason than
TO consume and to convert into manure
the roughness which would otherwise De
wasted.
George Washington kept sheep at all
times on his farm. and gave special care
10 Improvement OF breeds. and the Gays
OF Kentucky. have been famous shepherds
for a hundred years. Many OF the great
est men in all ages have been BREEDERS OF
sheep. from the shepherds OF ancient
Judea down TO the present time, and IL
has required a knowledge OF breeding,
combined with the care. labor and prac-
teal skill necessary TO make sheep pront-
able. 10 overcome the deteriOrating effects
OF neglect and secure Improvement OF
breeds. Progress has been satisfactory
all along the line.
The man who labors TO improve the
sheep and its fleece. so as TO better nj
Il 10 meet the requirements or MANKIND
is Of the most beneficent character, Tor II
means cheap food and clothing for the
masses. and OF the best quality. While
therefore. the breeder is striving TO better
his own condition. he is comforting last
ing benefit upon the country at large.
sheen should never be kept beyond the
age OF thrift and vigor; feed and care
given 10 younger stock will bring better
returns
All sheen are subject to both internal
an external parasites. and giving them
a little salt and wood ashes will be found
beneficial.
Want of proper exercise seems to re-
suit i'm both small and weak lambs. The
size OF the lamb is not Of so much i'm
J portance as its vigOr and activity. In fact
/ the small lambs are sometimes the most
active. The eve that has outdoor exercise
every DAY is more likely TO produce a
more active and vigorous lamb that will
take care OF itself shortly after its arri-
| val.
IL is only a matter OF a short time
when the old hand sheep shears will dis
appear. The modern sheep shearing ma
chine is so perfect. easily operated and
saves so much wool that il will soon come
into universal use.
The matter OF handling sheep to shear
| ing is too much ignored by the average
shepherd. He should see to. il that his
sheep are handled humanely. not only for
the good of his sheep but also for the
good OF his pocketbOok.