The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1905-01-05
AGRICULTURE.
SHEEP RAISING IN NEW ENGLAND.

10 raising sheep, ~ with all other farm
stoef, much viii depend upon q ildicious
selection Of the animals fr breeding. !
do not refer to the breed alone, but 70 the
individuals chosen. The question OF the
best breed msy be sul ct TO the prefer
Ell ce Of the owner, but II Ia well TO study
the conditions under which they are to be
kept and the demands Of the market. just
now the market demands good mutton and
lambs and they are better adapted to cur
New England climate than the lorg-Hooled
breeds as their compact fleece does rot alb
sorb as much rain or snow as does more
open fleece, and they are perhaps little
more hardy, partly upon that account
The greater weight OF old sheep and lambs
seems to give either the Shropihire, Hamp.
shire or oxford Downs preference over
the Southdowns, or the smaller breeds. II
the owner selects that breed witch he likes
best he will be apt to feel more pride 10
them and take better care Of them than he
would OF those that did not fult him as
we'll.
Not all farmers will feel that they can
afford to invest in njck of pure bred
sheep, although 1t may be economy to do
So as the chance Of selling lambs for breed.
Ing at price two, three or more times
that which they would sell for to the but
cher Is an Involvement. Scme have started
with few, from one to a dem Of pure
bred ewes, saving their beet lambs to In
crease their flock and thus 10 few years
building up to as large as they desire with
out feeling the cash outlay. Others who
have already flock Of native CT grade
ewes hire or buy pure bred ram to mate
with them and thus In few years they
have flock as good for wool or mutton as
the pure bred flock, though thtirram lambs
do not sell as well for ding purposes,
at least until the fifth generation when
there will be but one thirty. second part OF
the impure blood.
Another way tried By those who have no
sheep Is to buy at the market good Cana
dian or western lambs or cid e.es to which
they mate a pure bred rsm. ! Ike the
Canadian eve lambs as berg more easily
acclmated to cur stormy season and cold
winters and because they are more gener-
ally grades Of the mutton breeds. The
lambs will be At to breed from for more
years than old sheep, another Ia not much
chance for loss, for Il at Landing or shear
ing time there are any that are unsalisfscr
tory they can be separated out, fsttened
and sold In the fall for a. least as much as
the first cost and often at a good profit. |
The ewes Of the mutton breeds should be |
broad on the hips, thick through the shout.
ders and deepin the body that the psunch |
msy hold feed enough for the eve and her |
lambs. compact, even fleece, an erect |
head and bright eye, with an active appear
apce indicate good health and vigorous
constitution 10 the eve as well SIS 10 the
ram, and o little coarseness OF bone In legs
or head or OF the wool Is not fault In the
ewes.
To select the ram may require mere
Judgment. 1t Is not necessary to pay
nigh price for fashionable pedigree.
Many who have small Hocks Of pure bred
animals are glad Of a chance to sell their
males at two or three times their market
value as lambs and $40 or Sl5 will often
buy very good ones, although the breeders
who take first priz,s at the exhibitions may
name figures well up in the hutdr'ds Of
dollars for their choice breeding stock, and
wen thousands have been paid for rama 10
England to ship to Argentina or Australia.
The ram thould be vigorous, and In form
IS pcal Of the breed choser, and carry his
iead as proudly IS a thoroughbred stallion,
With decidedly masculire appearance.
ppesrance. Avoid all ovefgcown or extra
arge sized rams. THY are usually not Is
rood stock getters or as hardy and long
lived as their more conpsctly built broth.
rs,