Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-15
Why Sheep Husbandry
Should Be FOStered

Should Be FOStered
G. H. Crawford of Dexter. sheep
SPECIALIST connected with the State
department of agriculture, in his an
nual report declares that sheep hus-
bandry should receive more attention
from the farmers Of this State than it
does at present as unquestionably
sheep raising can be fitted profitably
into the general management of hun
dreds of farms where there is none at
the present time.
"On many other farms the size of
the fiocks could be increased and
more attention given to this branch
Of farming with profit to the. owner"
says Mr.. Crawford.
I'm most every case where flock
owners have used good judgment and
care in the selection Of breeding ewes
and rams, and have given them good
feed and care. fine focks are to be
found which return good profits to
their owners.
There are many farms in the State
which are located a long distance
from potato markets, corn canning
factories. etc, which are abandoned.
or partially so, because they are un-
profitable. Here is where the great
advantage in sheep husbandry comes
in. Sheep naturally enjoy the quiet
life and the good feeds that can be
produced as we'll on farms located
miles from markets as those nearby.
Another great advantage In keeping
sheep on such farms is that instead of
being obliged to go long distances to
market their products. the mar
ket comes to you. as. when the sea-
sons clip of wool is off. buyers start
out buying. and in many instances
take the wool away with them. Then
again, when the lambs are ready for
market the buyer comes TO your door,
buys the lambs, and drives them
away. The producer is saved the
time and expense of making many
trips to market with his products.
The production of both wool and
mutton can be increased substantial
~ by giving instruction to the proper
care and feeding during the different
seasons OF the year
1T is a we'll known fact that both
the quality and the quantity Of the
fleece and lamb depend largely on the
feed and management of the eve
during the year.
Every influence should be brought
to bear on both the present and pros
pective flock owners to use more care
in the selection of breeding stock as
this is the natural way to increase
both the productiveness and the
profit 4 good flock of we'll bred and
we'll kept sheep is sure to return to
the owner good profits, while poor
flock. poorly bred and kept. is most
sure to bring loss to the owner.
Diseases most common to sheep in
New England have spread TO an
alarming extent throughout the
State. Disease is one of the greatest
menaces to a normal production of
both wool and mutton. 1t is impossi-
BILE for a eve when infested with any
Of the parasitic diseases. namely.
stomach worms. tape worms. nodulaT
disease, etc, to produce = normal
fleece or lamb. The wool is usually
short and dry. Of poor quality. ard
light in weight. The lamb is usually
small and weak when dropped. and
the eve. in her weak. run down con-
dition, fails to provide a sufficient
| amount of milk to keep the lamb in a
thrifty growing condition. Every
possible assistance should be given
| the flock owners to rid their fiocks Of
these diseases ard prevent their re-
| infection.
These diseases are also largely re-
sponsible for the small percentage of
lambs dropped. as when the eve and
ram are diseased, Gin many cases both
are affected) there are sure to be
many barren sheep especially in large
nocks.
Many farmers have disposed of
their f1ocks and many others have re :
Trained from entering the business
because of some of the difficulties
: that arc peculiar to the industry.
| Among the most common of these are
parasitic diseases and our dogs
Every influence should be brought to
Rear on city and town officials to in :
duce them to control the roaming
/ dog as far as possible. If the pres
! cnt dog laws are inadequate, they
i should be amended in such way as
, to give the owners of f1ocks the best
protection possible. Parasitic dis
eases arc most discouraging factors
with flock owners. and all assistance
possible must be given to eradicate
i these diseases.
Owing to the gradual increase in
the price of both wool and mutton
during the past three or four years
together with a shortage in farm
labor. it was anticipated that there
! would be an unusual demand for
breeding ewes and lambs, and it was
decided to do everything possible to
save all good breeding ewes and
eve lambs from the butcher.
! "A circular letter was mailed to the
assessors Of every town and planta
ton in the State, explaining the i'm
portance of the work, and requesting
their assistance by mailing to this
department the name and address OF
every sheep owner in their town or
plantation. Approximately 400 re-
| turns were received.
These were followed by another
| letter to the flock owners, containing
, the same explanation. Enclosed with
| these were questionnaires requesting