Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-10
SHEEP RAISING
IN maine BEING
DEMONSTRATED
Experiment Station to Start
Anew to Ascertain an Answer
to the Much Mooted Question,
"Does 1t Pay?"

Orono, Me-, April 9.-Although the
flock of sheep at tho Maine Expert
ment stations farm went lin the hole"
s257.1S last year, Director Woods
wasn't fully satisfied with this answc;
TO the much discussed question, "Are
Sheep Profitable in Maine?" and the
flock has been given another chance
to make good. Whether they will or
not will be known when the expert
ment ends. in July. II
1t appears that many Maine farmers
who keep sheep are quite sure that
the f1ocks pay a profit, but none could
be found who had any figures to show
and it was mostly guess work. To de-
ternine the duesticr. the Maine Ex-
pertinent Station went into the sheep
business at Highmoor Farm last year.
The idea was to repeat conditions as
on tine average Maine farm. The sheep
were to be just ordinary sheep, Of no
extra value for fancy priced lambs. A
flock was purchased from. a large
breeder who said that sheep paid him,
although he didn't keep adequate rec
ords. The sheep were graded Hamp-
shires, rs ewes, 65 lambs and three
registered bucks.
How Figuring Was Done
The ewes were inyentoried at s.
each, the lambs at So each and the
l'ucks at S25 each. The flock was turn
ed into q 100-acre pasture with good
feed and given the same care that they
would receive on a well-kept farm
They were wintered in 1914-15 and ate
q bout six tons of grain and 20 tons OF
lay.
The increase was up to, or better than,
the average-about one lamb to every
eve. Some of the old ewes, lambs and
the wool were sold in the regular way
at market prices. All through the exper-
iment the aim was to make the condi-
tions as near as possible as would be fol-
lowed by an intelligent farmer.
The figuring up of the results showed a
loss on the year Of $257.76. The flock is
not charged with any of the expense of
fitting up for them, no interest on the
investment and nothing for use of land.
Careful account of the time taken by the
farm help for feeding, dipping, planting
and cultivating crops used for feed and
such was kept, making an item of $751;
The flock was credited with sheep and
lambs sold wood sold, s24 for manure.
The ewes. yearlings and bucks were val
ued as in the original inventory.
Director Woods Was "Stumped"
AS soon as the figures were compiled
Director Woods placed the results before
many authorities and sheep raisers to as
certain where the leak was, if any
The flock was in excellent condition. The
prices, both in buying, selling and inven-
tory. were practically correct Up to this
time no very satisfactory answers have
been received.
The experiment is being repeated this
winter. A fresh start was made last July
and a special investigation will be made
as to the value of the manure, which is
kept in water-tight receptacles and will
be sampled and analysed. The accounts
will be closed next July, and if the flock
again shows a loss. Director Woods will
be forced to the conclusion that sheep
are not profitable In A1aine-or that if
farmers really can raise them at profit
they will have some much desired infor-
nation to impart to the Maine Expert
ment Station. e.+s