Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-02-07
Profit in a Well Managed Flock.

\ young man, who is frank in stating
that he has had no experience with sheep,
but has saved a little money and would
like to go into the pure bred sheep bust
ness, asks my advice. My advice TO him
is TO 90 slowly. An experienced shep-
herd may nut money into flock of pure
bred sheep with every chance and likeli-
hood of making good money on his invest
ment An ambitious and industrious nov
ice may do likewise. but the chances are
That he will not. The experienced shep-
herd has knowledge which is most
valuable part of his stock in trade The
novice is handicapped from lack OF such
knowledge, and should he under the cir
cumstances, win out, he is thouoghly de-
serving of praise. My advice TO or
young friend is to buy ten good. hig,!
grade ewes, bred. and two pure bred
ewes. also in lamb. of the breed that best
suits his fancy, after being careful that
his order falls into the hands Of reliable
hrm. If everything goes well, in few
months from now this little flock should
double in number Then. supposng the
pure bred ewes should contribute two
lambs toward this increase. and these
shouid happen to De ram lambs, they
should next fall fetch ut least S15 a
head. This amount or a tri1e more add
ca, should pay for a good yearling ram
Tor service during the next breeding sea-
son. vi course, these ewes are likely to
produce three. four or even more lambs.
Now, # the increase from the pure bred
nock should be eve lambs, so much the
better for the young breeder. as his
breeding flock will soon grow into one Of
some importance. Now. surprising thar
haIt OF the grade lambs should prove to
he rams, these should be turned into
Wethcrs IN the ordinary way, and when
Fat or ready for market next fall. shoui1
letch AZ least 81 a head, and this amount.
10 Whlch 1t may be necessary 10 add .
rev dollars. should purchase good year
ing ram for next falls service. suDDoe-
ms, as before mentioned, thar the purp
pred lambs were all ewes which it would
be advisable to keep. By this method be
WlIl soon nave good start in the ShacD
business, and at the same time have
gained considerable experience, while on
the other hand, he might have put his
money INTO Il fairly good sized flock OF
pure hFedS and lost almost everything ne
mad. 1t is well known fact that many
VINO nave made brilliant success IN
handling small tlOcks of sheep have made
a dismal failure in handling large ones.
a, small flock will take care of itself.
inns IS moro than can be said of a large
mock. Now, a little additional advice.
POM waste money On costly buildings.
ANY Old outbuildng will make a good
Sheep barn If properly fitted up. which If
can De with the expenditure of little
muscle and few dollars for nails. etc.
There is no doubt that sheen are q 5
prohtahle as any other kind Of farm,
stock. Take a drove of horses. a herd Of
cattle pen of hogs and flock Of sheen.
ana gave them the best of care. on the
one hand, or neglect them. on the Other.
ana the sheep will show as much proGt
under either condition or circumstance
as the other mentioned stock. or more
II there Is any kind of domestic animal
that will pay profit under careless
management it is sheep, and if there is
any that pays better profit under care
III! management have not yet made lis
acquaintance. When one considers tbe
small amount of capital required to give
one start in the sheep business. ana
the rapldlty with which a flock of sheen
increases. and the small outlay REQUIRED
in fitting up barn suitable for the Same
Il Is wonder that where we find one of
these useful animals we do nor find TWO
Nhilc do not coincide in toto with some
enthusiastic sheep breeders when they
aver that the manure from sheen will nav
Tor their keep. | do think that their wool
manure and the destruction of weeds
through their agency will pay for. if NOT
more than pay for, their keep.-Hruid in
Tribune Farmer.