Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-05-10

and care that can be given are such
as are needed, the bulletin points out
that the mutton qualities are the i'm
pOrtant things to look for in the breed
ing stock.
Variations in wool values, says the
bulletin, largely explain the increases
and decreases In numbers of farm
sheep in the past fifty years. At pres
ent, 1t is stated, mfny former raisers
Of commercial shedp who breed stock
for wool are giving more attention to
mutton thaa baneseen- dQpet IN the
past, and most Of he new f1ocks be
ing established arr of the mutton
breeds.
Community Breeding.
1t is not to be expected, the bulle-
tin points out, that all farmers in a
county will select the same breed of
sheep. 1t lists advantages, however,
that may be realized if number of
farmers in a community adopt COM
mon plan of sheep raising and use
rams of the same type. at least, If not
of the same breed. If the lambs are
similar and ready to ship at the same
time a number of owners can join to-
gether to fill car or, If the number of
lambs is large and the quality uniform,
they will sell themselves, as the buyers
will come for them. Another advantage
in community breeding is that new
rams can be purchased Jointly. Own.
ers of two small flOcks can go together
and buy a better ram than either of
them alone would care to pay for.
OF the 80 breeds Of improved sheep
brought to fixed types as adapted to
the needs of their native homes, II are
well established in the United States
and others are gaining in popularity
The better-knOwn breeds are grouped
into three classes as follows:
Medium Wool Breeds.
SouthdoWn - Body conformation
ideal for mutton, but from raiser
standpoint not so large as is desirable
weights large in proportion to appar.
ent size; will become fat enough for
market while growing; better adapted
to rolling or billy pastures; ewes good
mothers and good mixers; fleece close
and comparatively fine. but often toe
short to weigh heavily.
Shropshire-Ranks high in weight
and length of fleece; proceeds of WOO
important; body intermediate be-
tween SOuthdOwn and larger breeds
lambs reach common market weight
later than larger breeds.
Hampshire-Lambs grow rapidly
when well fed largest of medium WOO
breeds; because of size and weight il
not adapted to very rough or scanty
pastures; fieeces vary considerably.
Oxford-Breed large and heavy and
lambs grow rapidly when well fed
they can be matured early, but not sc
early as some of the less grOwthy
breeds; fleece of special Importance
extra length adds to weight as well a:
making it useful when length of fibel
without too great coarseness is needed
Dorset demonstrating habit strOns
feature; developed in sections where
early lambs were desired lambs grow
and mature rapidly; particularly pop
ular with farmers who raise winter OF
dollhouse" lambs.
Chevoit - Accustomed to grain,
over rough places, active and alert
vigorous and hardy; capable of pro
ducing mutton upon land unsuited t.
other breeds; fleece fairly dense.
Other breeds mentioned in the me
dium-wool classes are the Suffolk ant
the TuniS.
Long Wool Breeds.
Bred chiefly for mutton. the Ion;
woods are the largest breeds of sheep
They have been developed for leve
lands where feed can be obtained with
out much travel. Lambs do not matur
so rapidly or fatten so young as thOs
of other mutton breeds. Fleeces ar
loose, coarser and longer as compares
with fine wcols and medium wOOlf