The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-03-28

ment OF Asriculturcl
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 proftably be fitted into the
general management of thousands OF
farms where there is none at the pres
ent time. On many other farms the
size of the flock could be increased
and more attention given to this
branch of farming with resulting
profit to the owner. according to 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 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-
Queer can display Itself. The breed
ing of pure-bred stock offers special
inducements to many, while larger
number are content with the produc-
ton 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. 1t is not so much
the breed selected that will lead to
success as it is the care and man.
agement. II must be noted, however,
that certain breeds have wider range
of adaptability and are more popular.
The number Of pure-bred flocks Is
increasing every year and the demand
~ good breeding stock is more than
keeping pace with the increase.
With a 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 a high priced prod
uct and should prove profitable under
favorable conditions.
Many farmers have disposed OF
their flocks and many others have re
Trained from entering the business be
cause of some of the difficulties that
| are peculiar to this industry. Amone
the most important Of these are our
dogs, parasites and diseases. A Ger
tain amount of trouble Is inevitable
where these abound, but ordinarily
this should not be sufficient to dis
courage the flock master. Good man
agement and proper care will control
II not eliminate these difficulties The
flock that must rustic for itself Is the
one that suffers most from these
sources. Sheep are good scavengers
but should not be made to subsis
upon weeds alone, with little or NJ
attention on the part Ct the farmer
The sooner the owner realizes tina
his sheep cannot return satisfactor,
profits under such conditions, the bet
ter 1t will be for him. Any extra car,
and feed given to the flock general.
yield the greatest returns.
Sheep will increase the fertility o
the soil If they are handled properly
To do this they should not be permit
ted to crop off the grass too closely
which they will do II the pasture II
overstocked or II they are kept TOT
long in one field. Sheep manure. will
one exception. is the most valuable o