Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-06
Are Sheep Profitable in Maine?
Experiment to Be Undertaken

Orono, Me-, May 5-(SpeciaD-At
the recent meeting of the Maine Agrl-
cultural Experiment Station Council
the following facts were presented py
the director:
AS is we'll known, the sheep industry
in Maine as we'll as the country over
has greatly diminished. Apparently
the sheep industry in Maine reached
its maximum in 1880, at which time
there were in round numbers e6e,ooo
sheep in the State. In 1890 TINS NUM-
Der had become reduced to 10000 ana
in 1900 to 24S,000. in 1910 to $4,000.
Between 1910 and 1912 there mas oeeil
q slight increase as the NUMBER OIL
sheen reported by the State assessors
exclusive of lambs, for that year were
about $4,000.
Attention was called to the facts:-
that at Highmoor farm there are apoo'
100 acres in pasture at present uh-
utilized: that there is barn room Wiiicii
with very small expense eouia pe
made to carry $50 sheep ana thd'
there has never been permanent agrl-
cu,ture without animal husbanory
anywhere in the world The tacts
brought out in Bulletin pa relative to
the lack of profit in the sale OF nay
because of the large amount OF Ter
tilizing material removed from the
land in a hay crop. were referred u
and it was also pointed out that High
moor farm now annually sells con-
siderable hay. :,
Because of these facts the councli
authorized the purchase of ordinary
grade sheep sufficient to make the
foundation for stocking the farm-no'
for the purpose of definite sclentlnc
experiment but to study the queston
as to whether sheep can or cannot pe
profitably raised in Maine. For TINS
reason the sheep to be carried upon
the farm are not to be of fancy type
They will not be pure bred and there
fore none of the animals can De sofa
at a fancy price. They will be just
plain sheep such as any ordinary
farmer can carry While care Will De
exer cised in handling the sheep nc
high priced labor will be used. Nc
special shepherd" will be employed.
AS this experiment is not of sur
fcient scientific character to warrant
its being carried oct by any FUNDS
which are available to the experiment
station for work of investigation II
will be necessary to keep distinct, sep
arate accounts for every item OF ex-
pense and of receipts. Consequently
from the treasurers' books it will be
POSSIBLE at any moment to know
whether the sheep are or are not pay
ing.
The experiment will be begun pS
placing upon the farm early in the
summer of 1914 a flock of 70 grade
Hampshire sheep with their lambs
The sheep will be bred in the fall to
pure HAMPSHIRE sire The whole mat
ter is more of a demonstration ex-
pertinent than of investigation, ano
will be handled chiefly with the pur-
pose of ascertaining whether or mo-
hay and pasturage can be prontaplS
marketed through sheep. The fur'
Their question as TO how far sheep may
be relied upon to maintain fertility
upon Maine farms will be considered.
Only ordinary animals with ordi'
nary care under ordinary conditions
will be used. If this venture proves
to be a profitable one it will be such
that any man in the State can initiate
If he wishes so to do. II, barring ac-
cidents, this venture does not prove tc
be a financial success 1t is doubtful II
the Maine farmer would be justified in
carrying ordinary sheep for ordinary
market purposes upon his farm.
The two chief initial items of ex-
pense will be for the sheep themselves
and for the fencing of the pastures
Because of the irregular shape of the
pastures at Highmoor farm in order t.
enclose and properly divide the 10i
acres, it will be necessary to built
nearly two miles of fence. AS there
are few sheep kept in the vicinity o.