Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1891 — SHEEP. [ARTICLE]

SHEEP.

Points In Wool-Growing. Tho finor grades of wool are more likoly to hold their pricos than tho commoner grades, as tho demand foi fine hoifshmado woolens is increasing. An increased demand for tho better grades of woolen fabrics will naturally bring a better demand for tho liner grades of tho raw material; a demand that the growers of those grados will endeavor to supply. Without going into tho earo and management of sheep here, attention may bo called to somo “points” that the beginner as well as the old flock-master in tho West should not ueglet. First and foremost we want good, wool with a fair staple, and fine but not too silky fibor. This fiber must be evenly developed and thus be able to boar an equal tension in all parts throughout its length. Thu demand for such wool will be even greater in tho noar future tham it is now. Tho secret of growing good fiber does not at all depend upon breed and grade, as too many or our growers suppose, but upon the continuous good health of tho sheep while the fleece Is growing. Every neglect, such as starvation, lack of water, and undue exposure to the inclemency of tho weather in winter, causes a weakened growth of liber during that period, makes It more slender and less firm, and if the sheep is subjected to these conditions several times In a season, each period will be marked by a corresponding number of weak places in tho staplo. The staple, should bo also evenly lubricated for its; entire length, which In itself Indicates ». strong, healthy, unchecked growth, and. It has considerable influence with thebuyer. The next thing is to have sheep* that are well adapted to the climate. Such animals will stand the varyiug cornditions better than others. Last, but net. least, good, high grade stock must be selected in order to get the necessary' fineness of fleece. It will cost more at. first, but will moro than repay the outlay; but it must be properly cared for, or the fleece will bo of poor actual quality, although it may bo fine to the touch— American Agriculturist. Dropping Wool. A correspondent of the National SUjchman asks that journal what makes sheep drop their wool in winter sometimes. The most prevalent cause is too warmtt quarters, says the reply. I have soen a. bunch of sheep shut up in a tight room, for the purpose of raising winter lambs,, and shearing was neglected. By spring. moro than half of the wool had dropped, and they looked more ragged than theproverbial street arab. Hbeep are sensitive to storms and cold winds and should bo protected from them. Sheltered from these is al! the housing they require.. The coldest nights of winter, if still andi It docs not snow, they choose to lie out. in the opeu. A shed fully boarded on. three sides and four of five feet on the: other, that there may be no draft of air, makes the most suitable quarters. Another cause of the wool failing off « feeding all the heavy grain ration at the commencement of grainfeediug. Here great caution should be observed. They should be seasoned into it gradually before full feeding is entered upon. Winter Ration* lor Sheep. Not only is it true that sheep kept. confined in winter and fed to be fattened, relish a change of diet, but they also generally gain faster on a diversified ration. Thus, of linseed oil-cake meal alone it takes six pounds, according tothe English experiments, to producesgain of one pound of flesh, while of the meal and peas mixed it requires only foiy; pounds. An excellent daily ration so? a sheep of the mutton breeds was found to bo one pound of clover hay, four ounces of linseed meal end nineteen and a half pounds of mangles.— American Sheep-Breeder and Wool-Grower. Mote*. One sheep with scab or foot rot mayinfect an entire flock, a fact which shows how important it is to remove a sick animal from the well ones the moment tho slightest symptom of disease is seen. The remarkable average of $209.83 1 was recently obtained for thirty shearling rams from the Mertouu flock of BorderLeicesters, by Lord Pol war tb, Kelso, Britain. Last year the Mertoun average was $152.56. Stanton Hitchcock, Orleans County,. Vt, writes: “Sheep arc the most profitable live stock on a farm, they require less care, work, and expense, and yield twice or thrice as much as cows of thes&me value. I would cot advise a person just commencing to buy a great number at first, but to commence in a small way and work up. Of course there am drawbacks in sheep-raising as well as tm other farming. But on a whole I think it is the most profitable.”