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Sheep-husbandry, which has been ahnost, if not entirely abandon- 

 ed in this country, is now attracting the attention of many farmers 

 in other sections, Avhere it had also been abandoned. A stringent 

 law has been enacted by the Legislature, removing to a great ex- 

 tent what has hitherto been regarded an insuperable objection to 

 the keeping of sheep, — the destruction of them by dogs. And 

 large tracts of pasturage in the County are thought to be Avell 

 adapted to the feeding of sheep. We have heard it argued by 

 one perfectly familiar with sheep-husbandry and with the nature 

 and condition of the farms in the County, that it would be practi- 

 cable for every farmer here to keep as many sheep as cows, with- 

 out any addition or change of pasturage ; that the droppings of 

 sheep form the richest and most valuable manure for pastures, and 

 are best distributed over the land ; and that, in proportion to 

 their cost, no other farm stock yields so remunerative returns. 



On the other hand, wc have heard it said, not, however, with 

 reference to the nature and condition of our farms, — that setting 

 aside the danger from destruction by dogs, which may now be 

 partially or entirely provided against, the keeping of sheep in this 

 section of the State has been found unprofitable, because attended 

 with too many difficulties and risks, and requiring too much care, 

 and therefore it is abandoned. 



We cannot here enter into any discussion of this subject, nor 

 have we the facts at hand which would go to prove either of these 

 statements correct. We know from observation here and else- 

 where, that it is perfectly practicable to raise and keep sheep in 

 our County. We have seen one of the largest and finest flocks in 

 this section of the State raised and kept, where, if any where in 

 the County, it would seem to be attended with peculiar difficulties. 

 We have been told of its profitableness even there. And in other 

 quarters, where the situation of the farmers is more favorable, we 

 know it is spoken of as altogether the most profitable branch of 

 husbandry. 



But if the business be not entered into upon a large scale, we 

 are inclined to the belief that an e(|ual number of sheep may be 

 kept with cows, in most of our pastures. And in this way an 

 important addition may be made to the income of any farm, and 

 to the aggregate wealth of the County. Winter rye, — which is a 

 common and most profitable crop in this part of the State, — is 

 said to be " essentially benefited, by depasturing it witli sheep in 

 the spring as well as autumn. By treading the moist earth about 

 the roots of the plant, they aid in preserving the crop from the 

 dangers of the season. Sheep, feeding upon rye, also promote an 

 expansion and more vigorous growth of tlic roots ; the number of 

 sprouts from each germ is much increased ; the luxuriant vegeta- 

 tion of the crop, which, l)y lodging and heating beneath the snow, 

 often endangers the grain, is consumed, and affords a most valiia- 



