The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-07
INDUSTRY PROVIDES EVERY 0P-
POnTtr WITTY FOR BREEDER TO
DISPLAY SKILL.
RETURNS A r E AMPLE
AMELIA FARMER DECLARES WOOL
ALONE PAYS WAY OF HIS
SHEEP-ASINAL WITH
GOLDEN HOOP.
GOLDEN HOOP.
BY GEORGE f. WRAY.

There is no question as to the
profita bleness of raising sheep in the
Old Dominion. 1t has been estimated
that sheep will eat about IS per cent
of the weeds on a farm: 1t has been
proven that weed seeds, after passing
through q sheep. will not terminate as
they will after passing through cattle.
horses, or even pigs. II this were the
only benefit TO be derived from sneep
farming IL would be well worth while
in the South, where weeds are alto
gether too numerous in fence
corners. borders of fields and road
sides
The sheep raising industry provides
every opportunity for the breeder to
display his skin. while those to whom
a sheep merely represents so much
wool and mutton can here find ample
reward The farmer who bankers
after pure bred stock can select one
that seems best adapted to his in
dividual requirements. He can de-
veiop a market and reputation Just
as well with sheep as with hogs, while
the work and care attending the rails
ing of pure bred stock is no greater
than with other animals 1t is less
question Of which is the best breed
as 1t is question OF care. attention
and general management.
While pure-bred sheep require no
more attention than pure-bred noEs.
sheep cannot be neglected and alloy
ed TO run wheresoever they will as
ordinary hogs are allowed to run gen
orally. Sheep are. much more easily
fenced in than are hogs; they are
much more liable TO attacks from
dogs than are swine. Hence the roam
ing dog is an avoved enemy Of the
sheepfiold
Better prices ruic for pure-ered
sheep when sold for breeding pur-
poses than for other stock OF equal
weight and market value
Costs Less to Raise.
The prices for mutton are more or
less stable when once market for
lit is established locally Sheep COSY
comparatively little to keep; they re-
!auire but little cereal food. and hence
mutton costs less TO raise-pound for
tpound--than pork. while as meat il
generally runs little higher, especial
lily where mutton Is In any kind OF a
demand. The farmer who contem-
plates sheep-ratsing should decide first
OF all whether he will go In for breed
ing. or whether he will run what may
be termed commercial sheepfoid
] Roth require about the same care.
The market for breeding stock is not
always active. while the demand for
mutton can generally he counted upon
with reliance The commercial sheep
fold Is perhaps the best for the aver
age Southern farmer.
In any case the iamhing season
tests the ability OF the farmer TO raise
sheep Early spring lambs are hard
est to raise, while late spring or early
I fall lambs more easily adapt them
selves To weather conditions. Yet the
early lambs are most profitable and
pay we'll for the extra care and atten-
ton They need Southern sunny
hillside. with ample protection from
the north and northeast winds. and
protection from all storms. Farmers
who have favorable locations should
study the raising of early spring
lambs. The later lambs require less
attention for the first six weeks of
life. and become hardened before win
ter, but III the cold and wet months
they need considerable care and de-
mand more or less constant attention
Sheep and dogs seldom agree, 70,
sheep are timid animals, while dog.
will always run after any other animal
which runs from them. This apple.
to nearly all dogs except trained sheer
dogs. Then sheep are often infested
with parasites Of various kinds and
are not free from diseases. These are