The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-08
SHEEP OF NORTHEASTERN FARMS
Small Flocks on New England Farms Re-
quire Little Care and Make Good
Profits.

The New England sheep industry, for
many years on the decline, appears to be
reviving under the stimulus of high
prices A study Of this industry in sec
lions of the extreme Northeast shows
that with prices which prevailed last year.
sheep kept in small focks may be very
profitable under certain conditions that
the number of sheep can be increased
without decreasing the number OF dairy
cows, that such focks require compare.
lively little grain and labor, and that
many parts OF New England are particu
larly we'll adapted to raise sheep of the
mutton breeds These points are brought
out in detail in farmers bulletin 929,
The Place Of Sheep on New England
Farms recently published by the Unit
ed States department Of agriculture.
One of the interesting points brought
out in the study was the fact that farms
where sheep were kept had practically
the same kinds and numbers of other
livestock as did farms without sheep.
Moreover, farms with sheep had an aver
age of IL more acres of pasture than did
farms without sheep warranting the con-
clusion made by the departments spe
cialists that sheep in New England have
not been kept to the exclusion of other
livestock, but are valuable to utilize the
extra pasture which is available on many
farms in this section. II was found also
that the larger farms where sheep were
kept had practically the same acreage in
crops as the farms without sheep
The study included comparison of
the profits derived from sheep and dairy
cattle, and il was found that owing to
the high price of sheep and wool, also |
the cost of dairy feeds that sheep, in |
small fiocks. at least, were more profit !
able than their equivalent in dairy cattle. |
It must not be inferred from this. saws |
the bulletin. that the sheep industry |
should to any great extent displace the
dairy industry, but sheep could replace
the Improbable dairy cows to advan-
tage.
Sheep Pay in Peace Times.
Though sheep raising is now conducted
IS profitable business at present prices,
says the bulletin, with better care it can
be attractive even under normal condi
ions and without artificial stimulus to
prices given by the war. One way of in
,reasing profits is by increasing the
ambing rate by careful breeding and
proper attenticA at Landing time. An
,ther way is to increase the crop of wool
w better selection of sheep and provid-
NC good feed aud care throughout the
rear. The study showed that with
,ne-third increase in lamb production
md Is per cent increase in wool, both
# which were possible under average
an increase in receipts of
Iearly 50 per sheep could be secured.
Care of Sheep.
Care is the most important factor
'earing upon the proftableness of the
heep business in New England, SAYS the
This means briefly, plenty of
wholesome feed at all times, dry quar-
ers, good ventilation and an opportunity
or the sheep to exercise while being
tabled. and close attention at Landing
ime An occasional inspection and regu-
sr dipping is also essential to insure
reedom from lice, ticks and skin dis
ases While sheep are good scavengers
nd are useful in keeping down weeds
nd cleaning up fence rows and waste
lnds they should be provided with good
asture. This Is particularly important
late summer and fall when the lambs I
eed to be put in shape for market
Ianv successful growers plant forage
Top for pasture at this season Rape
Iakes an excellent crop for this purpose.
he acre being sufficient to fatten from
to 40 lamts II allowed the run Of
her fields. The finer hays, preferably
gumes, are good winter feeds. At this
.ason some suocuient feed such as stock
lets. rutabags turnips or corn silage 4
loud be provided Practically the only :
ain that is necessary 20 feed the farm !,
'ek i just prior 90 and at lsmbing I,
me.