Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-09-05
SHEEP ON THE FARM.

The sheep industry As permanent
breeding business is gradually gaining
favor among the farmers Of the corn
belt. until the industry throughout the
entire central states Is spreading to a
very large percentage Of the small
farmers We thing that there is not a
domstic animal that Yields better
profit on the average farm than the
golden ho0f. this being true from
the fact that sheep viii live and thrive
on many weeds and plants on the farm
that are not utilized by any other an
imal They can be raised very cheap
ly and every farmer should keep few
Of them TO clean up his pastures and
fields Of weeds We note the follow
ing very wen directed remarks Of
Edgar l.. Vincent IN the Rural Mag
azlns touching upon this subject,
Fol- a number OF years there mas been
good money in sheep. Wool has brought
a good figure lambs have sold at good
prices and mutton has been IN better
demand and better prices than for
some time Naturally these facts have
pushed the sheep into prominence on
the farm and this has led TO an invest
ment In the sheep industry
After a farmer has determined that
his soil and location are adapted to
the Keeping Of sheep there comes the
problem as 10 what kind Of sheep to
raise. and there is quite a range for
selection. The sheep which will do
well in one locality will not IN an
other For example. the Merino Is a
hardy sheep and a good hustler II
viii 30 well in hands Of thousand
or more This cannot be said OF the
strictly mutton breeds. II is held By
many good sheepmen that 50 Of the
latter are an that ought TO be kept IN
the same lot.
The nature Of the pasture must be
taken into account. Some kinds II
sheep are excellent rangers, climbing
steep hills and eating brush and stun
ON which heavier sheep could not sub
sist II We want mutton perhaps no
sheep surpasscs the sO-called Down
breeds. This name comes from the
fact that really all Of the best mutton
breeds came from England originally
the SouthdoWn being tho mother breed
Of an These sheep have stout bodies.
strength. tendency 10 bear well and
superior flesh for eating
Another favorite all-round sheep are
the "Shlres. also Of English extrac-
ton, the Shorpshires the Hampshires
and the OXfordshircs. These sheep
present good qualities for wool, NUT
ton and lamh-bcaring They are stout
" built and able To shift for them
selves IN most parts of the country.
For myself I like the Shires best 81
an. Some prefer the Doresets which
have great fccundity and habits OF
carly breeding Others find their ideal
sheep On the Cotswoid or the Lincons.
With no knowledge of sheep grow
ing. the best thing for a farmer 10 do
is TO look about. see what kind Of
sheep seem TO thrive best I'm his local
It's. study his particular home sur
roundings and then venture IN care
fully / would advise no one ia put 4
great amount OF money az once into
sheep. Better go slow and see what
can be- done Individually. II Is easy
To- enlarge ones herd, for sheep multi
ply fast. n a mistake has been made
ID b easier to correct Il with a small
lock. And one should not put money
into sheep unless he is sure that he
can and viii give them the attention
necessary 10 success.
30 animal will better keep up tho
fertility ~ the farm than sheep. The
droppings Of the sheep are rich and
full Of the elements that are needed q
maintain soil fertility. Sheep are de-
slrahle. too, Tor their ability TO destroy
weeds and small brush on the farm
[ ha Q known lots so grown W q
weeds that when a flock Of sheep was
turned in Il was almost impossible 70
see their backs. but which were quick
Is changed into fine clean pastures.