EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 



471 



corners of worm-fences, which is supplemented by a morning and evening allowance 

 of corn-fodder, which the compassionate and appreciative owner allows to be fed to 

 them by a boy who has not yet attained sufficient size to be otherwise useful. The 

 only protection against the rains and occasional storms of winter afforded to a major- 

 ity of these flocks being such as their instincts lead them to seek by hovering on the 

 sheltering sides of barns and outbuildings that may be accessible; a tumble-down or 

 waste house on a plantation is a perfect asylum for them. Yet, under this treatment, 

 the flocks of the farmers keep their numbers full, and occasionally multiply beyond 

 their wants. Of necessity, their fleeces are light and inferior. Whenever an effort 

 has been made to improve the stock by crossing upon Merino or other approved 

 blood, the effect is satisfactory and lasting. From the universal custom of turning 

 the entire stocks into the common "range" the impression of a Merino, Southdown, 

 or other importation would manifest itself upon the flocks of the entire neighbor- 

 hoods. So apparent is the improvement thus made that in purchasing the surplus 

 brought to market there would be no difficulty in recognizing the wool from a neigh- 

 borhood that had been favored by some enterprising farmer having imported from 

 Virginia or Pennsylvania a pair of blooded animals. Without any change in the 

 mode of treatment, these improvements are known to be distinctly manifest in 

 neighborhoods 30 years after their introduction. Being able to withstand all this 

 hardship and neglect, and promptly to respond to every effort to improve their 

 quality or condition, it is evident that there is in North Carolina an adaptation of 

 natural gifts to their peculiar wants. 



There has been no marked improvement since the above was written. 

 In 1890 66 per cent of the sheep were unimproved and worth on an 

 average $1.51 per head, a price lower than the sheep of any other State 

 in the Union with the single exception of Alabama, whose sheep were 

 valued at seven cents less. Two-thirds of the wool was of a low-grade 

 clothing or carpet, the latter predominating. 



Sheep and wool in North Carolina, 1840 to 1890. 



There is more in the possibilities of sheep-husbandry in North Caro- 

 lina than in the reality. It possesses a medium temperature of climate, 

 free from the severities of blighting cold as well as from the debilitat- 

 ing and parching heat. In the tide- water region where the influence of 

 winter winds from the mountains is not felt, sheep can find a sustain- 

 ing pasturage the entire year upon the wire-grass which grows spon- 

 taneously through the otherwise barren pine forests. Here they keep 

 in uniform good flesh, grow to better maturity, and furnish better 

 fleeces than in the higher regions of the State, contributing largely to 

 clothing and feeding the owner's family without subjecting him to any 

 expense and to but little trouble. 



