Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-11-12

with an investment of $4,000 to $4,000
in serum for their protection. Discre-
tion is said to be the better part of
valOr. Surely the wise farmer will i'm
munize his hogs and prevent their de-
struction by cholera when IL can be
accomplished by such a comparatively
small outlay. Serum is but an insur-
ance against disease and certain destruc-
ton A man will insure his life and
his buildings. Why should he not in
sure his live stock?
There is one phase of the live stock
industry which has been greatly neg
lected in Georgia, yet it may be made
very remunerative on every farm. 1t
is the maintenance of a flock of sheep
The American people have never learn
ed to use mutton extensively like the
British people; hence mutton does not
command the price on our markets
shown in England. nor has the business
OF mutton growing reached any con-
siderable prOportoins in this country,
although sheep may be maintained where
cattle can not be probably raised They
constitute a fine class Of scavengers for
the destruction Of weeds and trash and
for the consumption of natural herb
age and grass which might otherwise
become a nuisance. When given any at
their offspring reach maturity at an
early date. They are subject to some
troublesome diseases but in this respect
are not more difficult to handle than
many other classes Of stock.
The initial investment in a flock of
sheep need never be large. The small
farmer should not attempt to keep many.
II they are properly fed and handled the
wool will pay for the cost of mainte-
nance of the eve. The lambs will read
lily sell and command a fine price. No
choicer meat can be provided for the
farmers table or for sale to the local
market than lamb or mutton. The nu-
tritive qualities OF mutton are very
high; the carcass is completely edible,
as ii were. While the sheep business
will undoubtedly prove profitable to the
farmer who grows these animals for sale
to the local market, the writer desires
to impress theimportance and necessity
OF every farmer keeping some Of these
animals so they may supply his own
table with the choicest of meats at a
low cost. BY doing so he saves the very
considerable outlay he must now make
for meats produced in other sections of
the country and which are often of an
inferior quality. The saving which
may be effected in this direction is much
greater imam Nne average FARMER realizes.
For instance, in Chicago last week prime
dressed lamb was quoted at IL to IL 1-2
cents per pound for No. 1 loin.
pound for No. 1 beef ribs, and 81
cents per pound for No. l yoin.
Let us give that attention to the
sheep business in the south which the
local conditions favor and justify. When
this is done the farmer will have placed
himself on a more independent basis and
be in position to produce/a variety of
meat for his own table which will be
better than to confine the diet of his
family to pork alone. He will also have
a surplus to sell from year to year which
Will bring in a nice little return on
his Investment, and he will enjoy the
luxury Of home-produced meat of choice
quality at a minimum outlay. Surely
a business affOrding such opportunities
as sheep production should be encour-
aged throughout the southeastern States.
SOWING WHEAT AFTER COTTON.
]. w. F., Canon, Ga, writes: 1 have
a field 1 want to sow in wheat. 1t
makes about a bale of cotton to the
acre. 1t has a stiff subsoil. What va
riety Of wheat would you sow on this
land, and how should the land be pre-