2(50 BOARD OF AQRICULTURE. 



SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 



By George Flint, North Anson. 



•' It is justly admitted that of all domestic animals reared and fed for profit in Great 

 Britain, sheep are of the greatest consequence, both individually and in a national point 

 of view, and afford abetter return than can be obtained either from the roaring or feed- 

 ing of cattle. Sheep Husbandry deserves to be esteemed in all its different branches, 

 and claims the priority of consideration among agriculturists." — English Journal. 



In view of the superior advantages in markets and marketing 

 facilities opening up on either hand in our State, we realize the 

 necessity of a different system of farming from that practiced in 

 years gone by when the soil was fertile, the country new, and 

 transportation less easy. It is not optional, but a necessity forced 

 upon us to adopt methods and means that will improve the soil 

 and at the same time return a profit to the owner. In this the 

 older States of the Union must look to England and Germany for 

 their models. 



By sheep husbandry and dairying, with a judicious system of 

 farming connected therewith, must the average farmer of Maine 

 solve the problem connected with profit and loss in farming. No 

 animal possesses so great value in proportion to its average cost, 

 or gives so quick returns for capital invested as the sheep. Find- 

 ing food in nearly every plant that grows upon our hill-sides, 

 mountains or plains, they become available stock for nearly every 

 acre within our State. By experiments, it has been proved they 

 will eat one hundred and forty-five varieties of plants that cattle 

 refuse ; keeping down and entirely destroying weeds and bushes 

 that would in a few years drive cattle from their range. 



Either the coarser varieties of mutton producers, or the fine- 

 wooled Merino breeds should be selected, according to the object 

 aimed at and number intended to be kept. If wool alone, or wool 

 and mutton combined is the object, the Merino and their grades 

 are admitted to be superior ; more especially if large numbers are 

 to run together upon the same farm. For constitutional vigor and 



