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and not of the fe-w rare instances, in wliich the application of 

 capital, liberally expended, has brought land up to the capacity 

 of feeding any animal, however large, that may be placed upon 

 it. This business is beyond the reach of the great mass of 

 farmers. 



In sheep-husbandry, it is evident that wool is the primary 

 and mutton the secondary object. It is wool, as the annual 

 return which the sheep makes, that constitutes the revenue 

 from this branch of farming. It rarely fails to furnish a liberal 

 return to the producer. Forming, as it does, a very important 

 article of commerce, and lying at the foundation of extensive 

 manufactures throughout the world, it ranks wdth iron, and coal, 

 and cotton, in the possession of an intrinsic value. It is one 

 of the least perishable commodities produced by the farmer; and 

 up to a certain length of time, will earn more than the interest 

 on its value, by increase of weight in storage. It insures the 

 property invested in sheep, after they are six months old, 

 against loss by disease and accident ; for, with the exception of 

 a few months after shearing, the fleece of the smaller breeds 

 constitutes more than one-half their value. Considering the 

 safety of the investment, the economy of management, and the 

 sure returns, it is not surprising that such extensive and profit- 

 able enterprise should be devoted to wool-producing sheep. 



With mutton, however, the case is very different. It does 

 not enter into the commerce of the world, as do beef and 

 pork. The waste in the carcass is very great, the chief value 

 being in the hind- quarters, which are mostly used for home 

 consumption. It is sold in the large markets only to supply 

 daily wants. However largely it may be used, it ranks with 

 the luxuries rather than with the necessities of life. It is said 

 to be produced in England, 20 per cent cheaper than beef; and 

 in this country its market value is much less than beef — rarely 

 commanding, except in extraordinary instances, more than from 

 3^ to 5 cents per pound to the producer. No doubt there are 

 sections of our country, as in Maryland, Kentucky, some parts 

 of Virginia, and the Middle and Western States, where pas- 



