ON SHKEP. 65 



here. The price of land is too high for pasturage, the feed is 

 not often suitable, hay costs too much, and western farmers 

 can grow wool to an almost unlimited extent, for one-third of 

 the cost to us, and get it to our markets almost as readily as 

 we. Sheep-raising, I think, can be made profitable. The 

 price of fat lambs in our markets, is always very high, and so 

 also is the ext7~a quality of mutton. To supply the demand 

 for these, should be ihe first aim in sheep husbandry, here, and 

 the next, to get valuable wool. Sheep of good fattening prop- 

 erties should be chosen. Probably some of the large kinds 

 will bo most profitable. The weight of tJie carcass is an im- 

 portant item, and a heavy fleece of coarse wool, if of a long, 

 soft, and free working staple, will give better returns than a 

 light, fine fleece. The extra keeping given to sheep to fit 

 them for market, largely increases the weight of the wool. A 

 flock should never be fed with poor hay, early in winter, how- 

 ever good may be their condition. It is too expensive. They 

 become poor, cannot bear the cold so well, and if you give 

 them corn, then, it induces fever, and is of no benefit. With 

 good hay, and ruta bagas, or other roots, sheep will winter in 

 fine condition ; and that is the only condition profitable. For 

 pasturage, nearly all of the finer grasses will do. White clover 

 is best ; and the sheep manure on the land, and close feeding, 

 will bring it in — so also will wood ashes and gypsum. Sheep 

 bite very close to the turf, hence many infer that they injure 

 pastures ; but this is not true. 



Experience has taught wool growers that no course of cul- 

 ture will improve a pasture more rapidly than feeding it with 

 sheep. It may be well to remark that they will effectually 

 destroy raspberry bushes and briers, if pastured among them in 

 Spring and Summer. 



In closing, I will express the opinion (not now giving my 

 reasons in detail,) that where young cattle can be kept in Es- 

 sex county with a profit of one per cent, and cows, kept for 

 butter, yield six per cent, sheep will as readily give ten jnr 

 cent profit. Respectfully thine, 



NATHAN PAGE. 



