FARMER'S COLUMN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue I, 6 September 1878, Page 3

FARMER'S COLUMN.

SHEEP ON A DAIRY FARM. Tho farmer who keeps a dairy of cows for tho manufacture of butter or cheese, can hardly afford to do ■without a few sheep. While keeping large flocks of sheep in good dairy districts would not remunerate the frm as well as the dairy, a few of the right kind of sheep kept on every dairy farm would not only afford plea« sure to the farmer, but add largely to the profita of the farm. We have a market both for wool and mutton to an extent far beyond the supply. So varied and extensive have the manufactures of woollens become, that every pound of wool, long oxshort staple, finds a ready market. These facts indicate that it is for our interest to select that breed of sheep which will supply the market with their greatest value in mutton and wool. Formerly, flesh was a secon«dary object with the farmer. Fine wool commands so high a price that it paid tp ; se this,calling the mutton nothini/ /ho change in prices as regai? and fine wools and muttwi yithin the last twenty years make it clear that the most profitable Bheep to the farmer is one that will furnish the largest amount of marketable wool and flesh combined, ancJ that breed is to be preferred that in the greatest -degree unites these qualities with hardness and aptitude to fatten on our lands, and under our Bystem of agriculture. Sheep are indiscriminate feeders, feeding upon all kinds of herbage; and a few sheep running among cows in the pasture will gladly crop many herbs that a cow will not eat, and thrive upon what would be left to go to waste, were it not for them. In view of combing wool bringing the highest; price, we should select from that class ot long~woo M cd sheep that is the hardiest, and that produces the finest wool for combing. The improved Leicesters furnish flue combing wool, and are hardy, and docile Bheep. It is a well-known fact that any animal of a quiet habit will thrive and fatten faster on the same food than an animal that is shy and restive; and this principle is pais ticulaily applicable to sheep. I have kept a dairy on my farm for the last twenty years, and for the last twelve years have kept from ten to twenty Leicesters, and in that time have never failed to turn my oldest ewes for mutton, after raising a fine lamb tho same season. I never keep a ewe to exceed five years of age. I take my lambs off by the middle of August, and the ewes will get fat by Ibt of November. I have often > jhad them weigh from 150 to 175 pounds |live weight, and bring from Cdols to Bdols. One peculiarity ot the Leicesteis is that they mature early, making fine mutton at eighteen months old. I invariably wash my lambs at sheaiing with a solution of CTesylic sheep dip, which kills all ticks and lico that may be jj^^em. In October I wash my vflßh -with the same dip ; it ; U ?^^^^^H the ticks and lice^iUtf^^^^^^J