SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VIII. 663 



SHEEP ON THE FARM. 



W. J. BARCLAY, EKFORE MUSCATINE COTTNTY FARMERS' INSTITUTE. 



Six years ago last fall I concluded that I would go Into the sheep 

 business. I have several small lots and yards around the buildings that 

 raise some grass, and also some vreeds, that I thought sheep would 

 mow cheaper than I could, and I find that I was not mistaken in this, 

 as I have never had to mow them since. 



From a financial standpoint I think that the sheep pay me a larger 

 profit on the money invested, when the food consumed and the labor 

 required in caring for them are taken into consideration, than any 

 other stock that I raise on the farm. 



At the present prices of wool and mutton, a good average ewe will 

 shear about two dollars worth of wool and raise one or two lambs, that 

 will bring about four dollars each, at from five to eight months of age. 



I find that sheep, to do well, require plenty of range; not large 

 pastures in particular, but they need to be changed from one pasture 

 to another. It is also better for the farm to have every field fenced so 

 that you can let the sheep run on it at some time during the season. 



In the spring of the year I let my sheep have the run of the fields, 

 where I expect to raise corn and oats, until the corn is coming up. I 

 believe it is better for the oats to be pastured some as they are not apt 

 to grow quite so large and lodge. 



In grazing over the farm at this time of the year they will eat the 

 grass along the fences and also a good many weeds that would cause 

 trouble later in the season. I do not wish to be understood as saying 

 that sheep will live on weeds altogether, but I do think that if given 

 the chance that they will do more toward cleaning the weeds from a 

 farm than any other stock. My sheep make me the least work during 

 the year of any stock that I can raise. They are always on hand ready 

 to be yarded at night. During lambing time, of course, they need the 

 best of care and attention, especially during cold weather. 



In conclusion I will say that I think that there are few farms but 

 what would be better by having at least a few sheep raised on them. 



THE RAM. 



FROM THE AMEBICAN SHEEP BREEDER. 



There is an old saying, oft repeated and less heeded, that the ram 

 is more than half the flock. And too often has it been noticed how 

 little attention is paid to his selection. The wise shepherd or owner 



