CHAPTER XI. 



SHEEP, SWINE, AND OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



r^ ' . " 



^lltlllE have searclied a number of volumes for all possible 

 information upon sheep husbandry, and have found 

 most of that contained in this chapter included in two 

 large volumes by the Hon. Henry S. Eandall, LKD., 

 to whom we here acknowledge our indebtedness. We advise all 

 Dock masters, and especially ..any who are just entering the 

 business, to purchase Mr. Randall's volumes. 



We have before alluded to thesprofitsof keeping sheep on 

 grain farms^ and we are fully of the opinion that many more 

 might be kept to advantage in the Middle, Northern, and 

 Eastern States. A farmer can turn his money quicker in sheep 

 than in cattle. They pasture better, and there are thousands of 

 acres of worthless, briery, bushy pastures, that can be made 

 fertile by turning in a flock of sheep. The common breeds of 

 poor blood, long legs, large heads, and slab sides will not pay ; 

 they consume more food than the improved breeds, do not get 

 fat, and neither the carcases nor the wool will bring as good price, 

 often not more than one-fourth as much. 



The market for mutton is increasing, and near large cities, or 

 convenient to the railroads connecting with cities, the mutton 

 may be made the main point. But in the interior, and espe- 

 cially in the West and South, wool must be the chief object 



When wool is the main object the Merinoes have no competitor. 

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