SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 



profitably cany large stock. And, finally, there seems to be a settled con 

 victiou among the English farmers that sheep give a better return for the 

 food consumed, and tlierefore better repay the extraordinary expenditure 

 iHK'ossaiy to bring poor lands in a fit state for the plow, than any other 

 animal. In an able essay in the London "Plough" (June, 1846), the fol' 

 lowing remarks occur, which may be probably regarded as an expression 

 of the prevailing opinion in England : 



It is justly admitted that, of all the domestic animals reared and fed for profit in Groat 

 Bi'itain sheet) are of the greatest consequence, both individually and in a national point of 

 view, and attord a better retm-n than can be obtained either from the rearing or feeding of 

 cattle ; the very fleece shorn annually from their backs is worthy of consideration. . . 

 Sheep husbandry deserves to be esteemed in all its different branches, and claims the prior- 

 ity of coL'.ideration among agiicultiuriBts."* 



The manner in which the " very fleece" is here spoken of, shows that 

 wool occujjies but a mere subsidiary place in making up the profits of 

 English sheep husbandry. I know many intelligent and experienced farm- 

 ers iu this comitry who think sheep feeding more profitable, or equally 

 profitable, with cattle feeding, leaving the wool out of the account.t 



The experience of the English farmers accords with that of those of our 

 own Nortliern and Eastern States, in relation to the superior advantages 

 of sheep husbandry on poor and light soils. Observation has shown both 

 that such soils do not profitably carry bullocks or other large animals, and 

 that such animals are poorer manurers than sheep. But their methods of 

 availing themselves of the advantages of this husbandry are entirely dis- 

 similar. The English farmer finds mutton and grain the marketable pio 

 ducts which pay best. The first returns a profit on the crop (turni))s) 

 which produces it, and at the same time fits the land for the latter. Tie 

 high price and ready sale of mutton allows the English farmer to force the 

 growth of turnips on poor soils, by the application of highly condensed 

 manures.| In the fall the sheep are turned upon small patches of them, 

 suriounded by an inclosure of hurdles. The turnips are drawn, sliced, and 

 laid in troughs for the sheep. When one patch is consumed, the hurdles 

 are removed, and thus the field is gradually passed over — the sheep con- 

 verting the whole crop into animal products and manure. The land ia 

 then plowed for grain, and a succession of crops are taken from it. By 

 this means the land is soon reduced to its former level, and the same sys- 

 tem is again entered upon. 



* After rending this and the preceding testimony, one cannot look back without a smile on the unac- 

 cnuniable munuinania of that excellent man and public benefactor, Col. John Taylor, in relation to sheep. 

 In one i)f the essays of "Arator," he says: 



•' My conclusions are that they require and consume far more food, in proponion to their size, than any 

 othei- stock ; that thoy are more liable to disease and death ; and that they cannot be made a protitable ob- 

 ject throughout the whole extent of the warm, dry climate and sandy soil of the United States, but by ban- 

 ishing tillage from vast tracts of country." . . . '• It is probable that the hot coni^tituiioT) of sheep pro. 

 duces a rapid digestion, and that insatiable appetite, by which the fact is accounted for of their flourishing 

 only, to any extent, in fine meadows or extensive wildernesses. If this voraciousness is not gratified, the 

 animal perishes or dwindles ; if it is. he dei)opulates the country he inhabits. The sheep of Spain have 

 kept out of existence, or sent out of it, more people than the wild beasts of the earth have destroyed from 

 file creation ; and those of England may have caused a greater depopulation than all her extravagant wars. 

 It noay be owing to this animal, the independence of one country is almost overthrown, and of the other 

 tottering." (! ! !) lie farther expresses the opinion that England, " by the help of her moisture and verdure^ 

 can raise wool cheaper than the United States." (!) 



It would appear that Col. Taylor formed all his conclusions on a small flock kept by himself They m'./ 

 have been a bad and unthrifty flock. But it is strongly probable that he was influenced by deep-rooted 

 prejudices, imbibed bei'ore his judgment was ripened.'or his experience fonned ; and that these, unknown 

 to himBelf, warped all his views. I can account in no other way for the evident and palpable hallucination 

 under which he made neatly every statement in his Chapter on Sheep. 



t A gentleman who has been one of the most successful feeders of cattle and sheep in this State (P. N. 

 Rust, Esq. of Syracuse) recently remarked to me in conversation that he had invariably found that sheep 

 paid better for feeding than cattle. 



J Bone-dust, and frequently guano or some other manure with it. is drUUd in with the turnip seed. «• 

 that much cost is obviated by making a little go a "rent ways ; and there is a remarkable congeniulity bl 

 the clrmate and atmosphere of England to the growth ( ' this root 



