298 SHEEP HUSBANDRY IX SOUTH CAKOLINA. 



In England, (north latitude 50 to 56 degrees,) from some cause not yel 

 settled, fine wool cannot be grown. 



Near the Cape of Good Hope, (south latitude 34 minutes,) Merino Sheer 

 do well, maintaining both quality and quantity of fleece with Spain. 



The latitude of Pendleton is 34 degrees 40 minutes, but counting a de- 

 gree for every 200 feet altitude, would throw us some twelve degrees farther 

 north, and between the latitudes of Spain and Saxony. 



So far then as latitude is concerned, experiments have been made both 

 north and south of us, which show, that here, Spanish Merino wooi neither 

 degenerates in quality nor quantity of fleece. 



It is also known that rich succulent green fooc generally adds length to 

 fibre, but does not always make fine wool coarser, at least between latitude 

 28 and 50 degrees north, nor does it make coarse wool finer. Humidity 

 and dryness of atmosphere seem to have, as well as climate, some influence 

 on the fibre. But as yet, the laws which govern the fleece have not been 

 satisfactorily ascertained. It is sufficient for the present inquiry that experi- 

 ments verify the operation, that in this latitude Merino wool will not become 

 coarser, nor the coarse long wool become finer, if each stock be kept pure; 

 And as tjie climate is well adapted to both, the choice of stocks may very 

 well be left to the fancy of those who try either. 



We* come now to test the value of sheep husbandry to this section of 

 country. There are many methods by which this can be done. I shall, 

 however, take the simple one of comparing the profits of this with the other 

 pursuits of the country. 



It is acknowledged in the Northern States that growing wool is a good 

 business there, and I will first give a table from Mr. Randall's letter, snow- 

 ing the profits of growing wool in New York : 



A. buys 100 ewes at $2, $20000 



" 33 1 acres of land at $20, - - - - - - - COG 66 



Cutting and curing 11 acres of the above for hay, - - - - 13 65 



Pay for shearing, 4 00 



For salt, tar, and summer care, -------- 



For labor of winter feeding, 5 00 



Loss by death 2 per cent, above pulled wool from those that die, - 4 00 



837 31 



HECEIPTS. 



300 Ibs. wool at 394, $11871 



80 lambs at $1, ... 80 00 



Summer manure equal to winter care, .... 5 00 



$203 71 



This is equal to 24 per cent, on the amount invested, and makes the cost 

 of the wool to the farmer 27 cents per pound. A calculation founded* on 

 the same data for Pendleton makes the result more favorable : 



A. buys 100 ewes at $1, - . - $100 00 



Pays for shearing, 4 00 



For'salt,tar, 



Loss 2 per cent, above skins and wool of those that die, 2 00 



t make no charge for summer pasture, because it costs nothing, nor should 

 rye or barley pastures for winter be charged; the crop is reaped after- 

 wards. But charge it at 20 cents per head, - - - - 20 00 

 One hand's attention an hour in the morning to turn tc pasture, s.nd.an hour 

 in the evening to pen ; this is one-sixth part of hh time. Say his whole 

 time is worth $72 ; one-sixth is - - - 12 00 



Total outlay and expense for feeding one year, - $140 00 



