246 



Bulletin 309 



years during which records have been kept, eighty-four ewes have 

 been producing hothouse lambs. Some of these ewes have been in the 



flock only one year, 

 while others have been 

 in the flock the full 

 time. The average 

 length of time that 

 each ewe has been in 

 the flock has been 3.88 

 years. The eighty- 

 four ewes have pro- 

 duced a total of 401 

 lambs, of which 261 

 have been sold as hot- 

 house lambs. The 

 average selling price 

 has been $7.52 and 

 the average quotation 

 $7.78. The average 

 number of lambs sold 

 as hothouse lambs 

 from each ewe has been 3.1. These, at $7.52, the average selling price, 

 have brought $23.31. Calculated from this amount by dividing by 

 3.88, the annual income per sheep has been $6. 



These figures indicate that this type of sheep husbandry is a good one 

 to follow. Seven dollars and fifty cents is a good price for a lamb at two 

 months of age. Not all of the lambs are born early enough to be sold on 

 the hothouse-lamb market, but they can be used for ordinary purposes if 

 they are born late. 



An average yearly income per sheep of $6 besides the amount that her 

 wool will bring should pay a farmer well for food and labor. The time 

 over which the records extend, eight years, is long enough to make the 

 averages accurate, and they form a good basis for judging of the value of 

 this industry to the farmer. 



Fig. 52. — Grade Shropshire ewe No. j6o 



