[68] 



CHAPTER V. 



SHEEP FARMS SITUATION FOR GENERAL MANAGEMENT 

 OF SHEEP FOOD, MANURE, ETC. 



Many things are to be considered to become a successful 

 sheep husbandman. In the first place, he must determine 

 to succeed, and with this principle thoroughly settled in his 

 mind, half the battle is already won. He must possess tact 

 and perseverance to overcome all obstacles, and not be 

 drawn off to follow some other business because it promises 

 a quicker return for his labor. 



Then, being settled on this question, the next is to select 

 a suitable farm for the business. Flat or wet lands are not 

 suited for sheep walks, for, of all domestic animals, sheep 

 are most injured by having their feet constantly wet, which 

 induces foot- rot, a disease terrible in its ravages upon the 

 flocks which it attacks. In any part of the State where the 

 lands are rolling and the water-courses descend with rapid- 

 ity, ensuring quick drainage, there is no difficulty about 

 selecting a suitable situation. The swelling mountains of 

 East Tennessee, whose tops are often bathed in clouds, and 

 whose sides and crests are clothed in summer with a rich 

 verdure, offer a fine field for this branch of husbandry. 

 The writer has often seen magnificent flocks fleck the slopes 

 of these mountains in summer, while the nestling coves at 

 the foot give shelter and food during the prevalence of 

 wintry blasts. So, also, the valley or trough of East Ten- 

 nessee, on account of its natural drainage, has always proved 

 exceedingly healthy for sheep. The Cumberland Table- 

 land, with its dry sandstone soils, is famed for the health- 

 fulness of its flocks. And coming further westward, we 

 find a section of country whose wavy undulations of sur- 



