62 TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 



Sheep, " the animal with the golden foot," as the Span- 

 iards call it, is the most profitable creature on the farm. It will 

 live on shorter feed than any other animal, and yields a rich 

 return. This habit, however, of short feed for sheep is to be 

 greatly condemned. It is wasteful, cruel and cowardly. A 

 sheep seldom dies insolvent. It enriches the fields upon 

 which it feeds, and gives, besides its fleece, the richest, 

 healthiest and most nutritious meat for the table. 



A year ago, I had a flock of 101 sheep which I held at 

 $300. From this flock I sold, in rams, old sheep and wool, 

 to the amount of $244. My flock was then as numerous as, and 

 more valuable than, when the inventory was first taken. After- 

 wards I sold, in old, unprofitable ewes, fattened, $64, 

 one buck lamb $5, and one choice Cotswold buck $15, mak- 

 ing an aggregate of $328 ; and still my capital is not impaired, 

 for my flock is yet worth $300. Can any other animals show 

 so good results ? I think not. 



I must add that sheep are a precarious property. They 

 have so many enemies that a constant watch is necessary. 

 The legislature ought to place a liberal bounty on wolf scalps, 

 and put a heavy tax on dogs, both of which animals the flock 

 master hates with a perfect hatred, — especially the dogs. 



