Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1914-04-29


entity arranged. and by having all nee
essary equipment, such as hurdles,
lots and chutes, the labor cost can be
reduced. 1t can also be lowered by
having the largest flock the conditions
will permit
BY growing on the farm most of the
feed, especially crops that Will yield
highest, the cost OF feed can be lower
ed. Sheep farming rarely pays where
large part OF the feed must be
bought. Depreciation on the equip
ment and the flock can be controlled
To a certain extent. Repairing done
Immediately is far less expensive than
when il is delayed. The depreciation
OF the flock depends more or less upon
the care IL gets. The best manage
ment will reduce this considerable.
The ordinary loss from mortality can
also be reduced by the best care and
management.
Interest upon the investment, taxes
and insurance are practically fixed
charges. Making the investment as
low as possible and securing the most
favorable rates of interest and insur-
ance are reductions that may be prac-
ticed.
II is not necessary TO have expen-
sive sheep buildings. AS mentioned
before, sheds can be made TO serve the
purpose excellently, and as good re-
suits can often be secured with them
as with more pretentious structures.
Quite often unoccupied portions Of the
barn or vacant sheds can be made
ready for sheep at small cost, thus
further reducing expenses. 1t is well
to start out with inexpensive buildings,
then if the flock warrants it these can
be replaced with better ones.
While it is desirable to reduce the
cost of maintenance in the ways enum-
Grated above, it does not pay TO sacri-
flee anything essential to continued
of the flock. 1t is poor
policy TO reduce this cost at the eX-
pense of health or productivity.
Mutton has never been as highly
in America as it should
be. Probably one reason for this has
been the supply Of cheap beef that
this country has enjoyed up TO the past
few years. The days of cheap beef
are over, however, and ii is necessary
that some substitute for 1t be found.
Mutton is the logical solution of the
problem. IT is true that the people
will have TO be educated more thor
oughly as to its value, but mutton is
now more in favor as a food than 1t
used TO be. A particular class OF
American people who have moderated
mutton are the farmers, many OF
whom keep a flock yet seldom, if ever
slaughter one for their own use.
lamb or sheep could frequently be
killed for use by the flock owner and
it would prove much cheaper than
buying meat. There would also be
the satisfaction Of knowing that the
meat was fresh and wholesome.
Probably one reason why mutton
has not been more popular on the
farm is that not enough care has been
exercised in selecting and Strengthening
the sheep. To get the best mutton
sheep should be selected that is in
good health; gaining rather than los
ing flesh. 1t should be in fairly high
condition also, as this insures more
tender and juicy meat. If the animal
is too old the mutton will be tough and
No feed should be given for twenty
four to thirty-six hours before killing,
or the carcass will be reddish looking
and unattractive and there will be
more danger of the woolly taste.
However, plenty of water should be
given The sheep should not be allow
ed to become excited or overheated.
nor should it be driven a long distance
before slaughtering. If
of this kind has taken place
the sheep should be allowed to recov-
er from it before being killed.
After dressing the carcas should
be cooled to 40 degrees, or as near
that as possible. In the summer II will
be necessary to have ice for this pur-
pose. Where there is farm refrigera-
tor the carcass can be placed in it, pro-
vided there is circulation Of dry air
and no Objectionable odors are present.
can be kept for week or ten
days under these conditions. In the
majority of cases, however, ice is not