Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1914-03-25

prepared by the United States Depart
meut OF Axriculture.i
Sheep husbandry should receive
more attention from the farmers OF
this country than It does at the pres
ent time. UnQuestionably sheep rails
ing could profitably be fitted into the
general management Of thousands OF
farms where there 10 none at the pres
ent time On many other farms the
size OF the fock could be increased
and more attention given to this
branch of farming with resulting
profit TO the owner, according 10 Bull
letin OF the department OF agricul-
ture.
Sheep have ever been In the van
guard OF civilization. This country
has been NO exception In this respect
The attraction OF cheap lands has
constantly drawn the industry west
ward. creating a quite general impress
sion that sheep are Improbable upon
high-priced land. This may have been
true In the past. but the industry is
undergoing an evolution.
The various phases OF sheep hus-
bandry AFFORD numerous channels
through which the skill OF the pro-
ducer can display itself. The breed
Ing OF pure stock offers special
Inducements TO many, while a larger
number ATE content with the produc-
tion OF mutton and wool for market
purposes. In the breeding OF pure
bred stock the beginner has a number
OF valuable breeds from which he can
make a selection. II is not so much
the breed selected that will lead to
success as II Is the care and man
agement. IL must be noted. however,
that certain breeds have wider range
OF adaptability and are more popular
The number OF pure-bred focks Is
increasing every year and the demand
for good breeding stock Is more than
keeping pace with the increase.
With IA commercial flock there are
several phases that are worthy OF con.
sideration. Early spring lambs is one
Of the most important, while late
spring or early fall lambs should re
ceive due consideration. The produc
ton OF winter or so-called "hothouse'
lambs Is well worth undertaking by
those who are favorably situated
This early lamb is high priced prod
uct and should prove profitable under
favorable conditions.
Many farmers have disposed O,
their fiocks and many others have re
Trained from entering the business be
cause OF some OF the difficulties thai
are peculiar to this industry. AmonS
the most important OF these are oui
dogs, parasites and diseases. A Ger
tain amount OF trouble Ia inevitabl,
where these abound. but ordinaril,
this should not be sufficient to dis
courage the flock master. Good man
agement and proper care will control
II not eliminate these difficulties. Tn,
hock that must rustic for itself Ia tn,
one that suffers most from thes,
sources. Sheep are good scavengers
but should not be made to subsis
upon weeds alone, with little or n,
attention on the part OF the farmer
The sooner the owner realizes tha
his sheep cannot return satisfactor,
profits under such conditions. the bet
ter II will be for him. Any extra car
and feed given to the flock generall
yield the greatest returns.
Sheep will increase the fertility o
the soil II they are handled properly
To do this they should not be permit
ted to crop OF the grass too closely
which they will do II the pasture 4
overstocked or II they are kept to,
long In one field. Sheep manure. will
one exception. Is the most valuable o