The Brinkley argus., 1917-12-21
SHOULD ] HAVE MORE SHEEP
nurinq 1916 the United States Raised Only 35 Per Cent of Wool
 She Used.


 Arkansas should have more sheep
 me need of raising more sheep is ap-
 mrent from the fact that in 1916 the
 limited States raised only 35 per cent
 fl the wool she used. There has been
 very large increase in the demand
 hr mutton to feed the millions of
 nen who are now on the European
 hont, and while the demand has been
 br more sheep, the number of sheep
 hs decreased in the United States,
 iue to the opening up of Government
 hnd in the West for settlement and
 Ae losses in sheep upon the ranges
 through disease.
 Although there have not been many
 sheep raised in this state, we know
 hat Arkansas has a number of ad-
 yantages for sheep production. We
 have a very mild climate and for this
 reason can produce grass almost the
 rear through. We also have large
 ,creage of high, well drained cheap
 hnd in North Arkansas which fur
 sIshes favorable conditions for the
 peping of large fiocks of sheep at a
 umparatively low cost. Arkansas
 men who have gone into the sheep
 1usiness and followed it in an intelli-
 ssnt manner find that they are very
 roftable investment
 First: They pick up great deal of
 haste about the farm that other farm
 mimals cannot utilize.
 Second: They clean up the weeds
 nd cause grasses to grow where weed
 atches were before.
 Third: Sheep furnish quick returns.
 Ewes can be bred in the fall and
 heir lambs marketed eight or ten
 months thereafter.
 Fourth: Profits are large-it Is
 usually considered that the wool will bay for the keep of the ewes and the lambs come as clear profit.
 Fifth: Sheep are good soil builders, sheep manure being the richest ma nure produced by any farm animal.
 Sixth: They require little expen- l sive feed.
 Seventh: Money from sheep comes : in in the spring at time of the year ! when few other products are being | put upon the market.
 While the prospects for sheep grow | ing look very good, the Extension Di- vision does not want to encourage anyone to take up this line Of livestock Industry unless they have had pre- Vious experience or have an honest desire to study and learn the nature and the requirements of sheep With { out love for sheep and knowledge \f the industry, little success can be |1pected.
 One of the main essentials in grow lng this class of animals is good pas lure. Permanent pasture should be established with orchard grass or Bermuda grass as a basis. h the northern section of the state orchard grass is better sdapted to the soil and climate. In the central and southern portion, Bermuda thrives best. With Bermu- Ida grass can also be mixed lespedeza (Which makes it's rani1est growth dur Ing the hot summer months, bur clov- Ter which thrives during the winter land white clover which begins it's growth early in the spring. Besides R permanent pasture temporary pas lure should also be provided. Size of Flocks: 1t is the opinion of The most competent authorities that eheep can be handled in the most eco |nomical way with not less than fifty |N sixty ewes as unit. The advan- Fage coming from this large number E that 1t does not cost much more 10 fence, shelter and care for fifty or FHty ewes than it would smaller Lumber, and for this reason when the |arge numbers are handled the cost Der eve is much less than when only few are carried in the flock. While IS true that experienced men can randle most advantageously sheep in Fhe number suggested with the be- smner it is nol doubt best for him to Ftart with eight or ten ewes and |radually increase his flock. Kind of Sheep: It is not well for |he beginner to start with pure breds, |aat he should begin with good grades. 6erhaps the best place to secure these grades is from the Stock Yards Mar Bets through some reliable commls- |son firm. The majority of the ewes upon the markets come from the western ranges and are for the most part of the Merino breed. These ewes, FoWeyer, can be bred up quickly by Ising rams of the breed preferred. |lhe lambs from Merino ewes and nut Ion rams make rapid growth and Fell well when placed on the market. when giving an order for this stock Is well to write the commission Eaan the breed of sheep which you pre- Fr and caution him not to buy ewes |lat are too old. Quite number of |ne stock coming from the Western Fnges are old ewes that have broken