SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 7 



The next point of inquiry is the relation of climate to the 

 health and wool-producing capacity of the sheep. The effect 

 of the climate of the North in these respects is admitted to 

 be favorable. 



Health of Sheep at the South. Dr. Randall has given this 

 branch of the subject minute attention. After enumerating 

 the many thousand sheep existing in 1839 in districts of the 

 extreme South, on the borders of the Okefenokee Swamp 

 and the borders of the Gulf, and even the delta of the Mis 

 sissippi, he says : 



" No portion of the United States is lower, hotter, or more unhealthy 

 than much of the preceding ; and none, according to commonly-received 

 notions, would be more unsuited to the healthy production of sheep. 

 Yet that they are healthy in these situations is a matter of perfect 

 notoriety to all conversant with the facts. So far as health is con- 

 cerned, then, we are assuredly authorized to assume the position, that 

 no portion of the United States is too warm for sheep." 



Effect of Climate on the Wool-producing Qualities of the 

 Animal. Upon this point, Dr. Randall thus sums up his 

 conclusions : 



'* My convictions are decided, and the facts reported appear to fully 

 sustain them, that warmth of temperature, at least to a point equal- 

 ling the highest mean temperature in the United States, is not inju- 

 rious, but absolutely conducive, to the production of wool. The causes 

 of this are involved in no mystery. Warm climates afford green and 

 succulent herbage during a greater portion of the year than cold ones. 

 Sheep plentifully supplied with green herbage keep in a higher condi- 

 tion than when confined to that which is dry. High condition promotes 

 those secretions which form wool. Every one at all conversant with 

 sheep well knows that, if kept fleshy all the year round, they produce 

 far more wool than if kept poor. A half a pound's difference per head 

 is readily made in this way. Within the maximum and minimum of 

 the product of a sheep or a flock, the ratio of production always coin- 

 cides with that condition." 



Some other facts, not referred to by the author, illustrative 

 of the beneficial influence of warm climates upon the merino- 

 sheep husbandry, which we have now specially in view, may 



