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her not stated, for $101. In May he sold a portion of the 

 ewes for $98.70, and in June the balance for $72. He got 

 $60 for the wool. Allowing the food to cost fifty cents per 

 head and it did not exceed this, as grass was almost wholly 

 used and a net profit of $244.20 was realized. 



Summing up the whole subject, it may safely be asserted 

 that in its various branches, whether as wool, mutton or 

 lamb sales, there is no branch of agriculture that offers 

 greater inducements to the farmer than sheep raising. The 

 sum necessary to get a start is by all odds less than in any 

 other branch of stock-raising, and ito returns are quicker. 

 Not only does it remunerate the farmer by replenishing his 

 pocket, but it replenishes the land. The dilapidated condi- 

 tion of so many of our Tennessee farms strongly points to 

 some method of agriculture that will arrest the great waste 

 of soil and renew the lost fertility. This method is feasible 

 and cheap. I do not intend to enter into a long disserta- 

 tion as to the profits of sheep-husbandry in general, or as 

 to its value in Tennessee in particular, being content to 

 simply give the most approved compendium of the subject, 

 tested by the crucible of experience, and with the facts here 

 given before the farmer he must be his own judge as to 

 whether or not he will engage in the business. There is 

 scarcely any person raised to the years of maturity in Ten- 

 nessee who has not had more or less experience in the busi- 

 ness, obtained by working with sheep himself or observation 

 on the farms of others. This experience, however small, 

 will render him a fit judge of the profits of the business. 

 Should he have any doubts about it, let him begin on a 

 very small scale it is better, anyway, to do it and then 

 let him drive the business. He will be sufficiently taught 

 in its details as he goes to avoid any serious mistakes. He 

 may expect changes and variations in the amount of remu- 

 neration from year to year, but no such slight matter should 

 deter him. Let his mind be fully made up before entering 

 the business, and then let him not drop off at the appear- 



