54 



SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 



merely nominal, as they cannot be obtained for beyond a small poition of 

 the aiinual crop. They do not, therefore, form a proper basis for con-eel 

 general estimates. 



The expenses and losses in keeping sheep, not already alluded to, ar« 

 all set down below, as high as they will average on well managed farms. 



0r. 



§ as. 



ICX) Sheup to interest on purchase money 14 00 



To int. on 33} acres of land at $20 per acre 4« fiti 



" Cluing and storing hay on U acres of above . 13 75 



" expense of shearing 4 (K) 



" salt, tar and summer care 4 00 



" labor of foddering, &c., during winter, say. 5 00 

 '• loss by death 2 per cent, above the value of 



pulled wool 4J10 



Total....... ................ ..191 41 



By 300 lbs. of Wool, at 3y 4-7 cts per lb. 11- 713' 



•• 30 lambs at $1 per head 80 00 



" 40 2horse loads of winter manure at 



50 cents per load 20 00 



" summer manure, calling it only equal 



to shearing and summer care* 8 00 



Total $-,>-'t; 71 3-' 



..$135 30 3-71 



Making the net profit of $4 05, or 201 per cent, per acre on lands 

 worth 820. 



Since the passage of the Tariff of 1846, there has evidently been a panic 

 among the wool-growers of New- York, and the rise in bread-stuffs, beef, 

 pork, and dairy products, occasioned by the change in the British Taiiff, 

 and the famine which has prevailed in Europe by reason of the short crops 

 of 1846, has tended farther to depreciate sheep, by offering inducements 

 supposed to be very strong, to embark in branches of husbandry furnish- 

 ing the former staples.! Slieep are consequently cheaper than they ever 

 were before. Prime grade sheep, bearing wool of as good quality as the 

 average of that embraced in Table 7, have in some instances sold for ten 

 shillings per head, and coarse common sheep for one dollar — lambs half a 

 dollar — making, in the ordinary proportion between lambs and grown 

 sheep, about 75 cents per head, taking a flock through ! 



Wool of the quality embraced in Table 7 has fallen to an average of say 

 31 cents. Under the impression that sheep and wool have reached their 

 minimum prices, | it becomes an interesting subject of inquiiy whethei 

 they can yet be produced, at a profit, in New-York. The following figures 

 I think, will fairly show : 



Dr. 



100 Shec]) to interest on purchase monoy, at 



f I 25 per head 8 75 



To int. on 33} acres of land at $20 per acre--4fi 66 

 " cuttins, curing and storing hay on 11 acres 



of above 13 75 



" expense of shearing 4 00 



" tar, salt and summer care 4 00 



" labor of foddering, &.c. during winter, say. 5 00 

 " los.s by death 2 per ct above the value of 



pulled wool - - 2 50 



Total $84 66 



Cr. 



%cU. 



By 31)0 lbs of Wool, at 31 cents per pound.. .93 00 



" 80 lambs, at 6.'} cents i)er head 50 00 



" 40 2horse loads of winter manure, at 50 



cents per load 20 00 



" summer manure, calling it only equal to 



shearing and summer care 8 00 



Total $171 00 



Balance '86 34 



Making S2 59, or nearly 13 per cent.net profit per acre on lands worth $20. 



In the preceding estimates I have only regarded the profit of sheep hus- 

 bandry, as it has averaged for a series of years, among those possessing 

 good ordinary flocks. 



*■ I place the summer manure, undoubtedly, considerably below its actual value. No experienced 

 will say that good solid sheep manure is worth less than 50 cents per load, and as the sumn'.er manure r« 

 ■t least equal in quantity, and is deposited immediately on the land, I see no reason why it is not equal]y 

 valuable. 



t That the diminution of English duties on these staples will give them a better and steadier market, then 

 can be little doubt ; but not the tery high one of the past season, occasioned by the severe famine whick 

 has prevailed in many parts of Great Britain. Many, therefore, who have sacrificed their sheep, recconiag 

 on such prices, will probably find that they have "reckoned without their host." 



J I say this under the decided impression that our wools, at this price, if properly teashed and put tip, 

 would triumphantly compete in the foreign markets vcith those of the wool-growing nations of Europe; 

 Mid even with those of Australia, the Cape' of Good Hope, and other Austro-oriental regions. For a mora 

 full examiaation of this point, 8t>e Appendix D 



