1862. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



477 



his stock and hogs, and is "satisfied that he saves 

 one-half his grain, and gains as much more in 

 time ;" that one bushel of corn on the cob, boiled, 

 ■will produce as much as two fed raw, and in one- 

 half the time. In one experiment he fed three 

 bushels of boiled corn, per day, to twenty-seven 

 hogs, for ten days. The average gain was two 

 pounds per day. He then fed the same lot of 

 hogs on two bushels of raw corn per day, for 

 twenty days — they gained a mere trifle over one 

 pound per day. These were small, young hogs — 

 larger ones would have fattened better. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 THE BREEDING OF SHEEP. 



Mr. Euitou: — I propose, in the present letter, 

 to make a few remarks in regard to the breeding 

 of sheep. There is no business that pays the farmer 

 any better, at present prices, than the producing 

 of wool. Domesticated sheep are of Aery ancient 

 origin. We read in the good book that Abel was 

 a keeper of sheep. Its iuoffensiveness and mild- 

 ness of temper, the value of its wool for clothing 

 and the flesh for food, attracted the attention of 

 the ancient patriarchs. Job's flock numbered four- 

 teen thousand. In ancient Greece there were some 

 very choice flocks. SheejJ were introduced from 

 Greece into the Roman Empire, and great care 

 was taken to import the best breeds. The Roman 

 historian informs us that sheep were sold some- 

 times for $1000 apiece ; so it seems that specula- 

 tion ran as high in ancient times, as it does at the 

 present day. 



From Italy sheep were introduced into Spain ; 

 and a cross was effected between the choice breeds 

 of Italy and the more robust sheep of Spain, which 

 was the origin of the world-renowned Spanish 

 Merinos. In the year 1801 some fine animals were 

 imported into the United States; since then, large 

 importations have been made at difl'erent times. 

 Hon. William Jarvis, of Vermont, shipjied 3.600 

 to this country from Spain, which sold at high 

 prices. Later importations have been made, and 

 great care has been taken to keep the Merinos 

 pure ; and I venture to say, that some of the far- 

 mers of Addison County, Vermont, have got as 

 good sheep for producing wool as there are upon 

 the face of this earth. 



If I were to speak of mutton sheep, I should 

 recommend the Leicester and the South Down, 

 as best suited for that purpose. The breeding of 

 sheep requires a great amount of care. The qual- 

 ity of the wool, the weight of the fleece, and the 

 price it will sell for in the market, dc])ends in a 

 great degree on the care we take of the tender 

 sheep. No sheep ought to be exposed to the raging 

 storm in any season of the year, but all should 

 have the protection of good sheds. Farmers who 

 sell sheep for the highest ])rices, are those who 

 take the best care of their flocks, and, when 

 storms come, secure them under shelter. In the 

 first place, procure the right breed, then take 

 good care of them, and you are sure of success. 



There is one subject which has not received 

 the attention of farmers so much as it should — 

 that is, the wool-producing properties of difl'erent 

 articles of food. Experiments ought to be made, 

 and the results published. White beans, peas 

 and oats, are some of the articles of food, best 

 adapted to the growth of wool. 



Some of the farmers of this county have met 

 with great success in improving their flocks ; in- 

 deed, some think they have reached the top of 

 the ladder, while others are determined to secure 

 further imjjrovement. 



Many sheep are bred in this vicinity for the 

 Western market. Prices range from twenty-five 

 to one thousand dollars apiece. When specula- 

 tion runs so high, it tempts some men to be dis- 

 honest, so a common grade sheep gets sometimes 

 what they call the Cornwall finish, and is sold to 

 the ignorant buyer for a full-blooded Merino. 

 Buyers must look out for rascals, for it takes a 

 sharp eye to discover their deception, when black- 

 ing and oil is put on in a scientific manner. 



A few years ago, farmers thought that if a flock 

 of sheep averaged four pounds of wool apiece, it 

 was doing exceedingly well ; but now, if they will 

 not average from six to ten pounds of wool 

 apiece, they are considered a poor flock. What 

 makes tlie diff'erence ? We answer, the improve- 

 ment of breeds, the protection of warm buildings, 

 and the great care taken of them through the cold 

 months, instead of letting them roam about the 

 bleak fields in search of food. 



Oli\"rr p. Mead. 



Middlebury, Vt., September, 1862. 



PKICES OF "WOOL. 



In these times of change and remarkable inci- 

 dents, the farmer should watch the course of events 

 with care, and see if he cannot turn some of them 

 to his own advantage. For instance, when he 

 sowed his lands last spring, oats were bringing 

 twenty per cent, more than they commanded for 

 the last ten years — selling in small quantities at 

 sixty cents a bushel, while good western corn was 

 selling at sixty-four cents. Did the fanner ob- 

 serve this, and shape his crop accordingly ? 



Now, the great demand for woolen cloths of va- 

 rious kinds to be made up into garments for the 

 soldiers of the army, has greatly increased the 

 price of wool. At a recent sale in Philadelphia, 

 various grades and sorts sold at the unusual prices 

 of 15,000 lbs. at 75c.— 10,000 at 77^—50,000 lbs. 

 mixed at 65c. to 75c. — 25,000 lbs. common, at 70 

 to 72^c. — 15,000 h. and | blood, at 60c. — none 

 selling for less than 55c., and all the lots for cash. 



Will it not be well for the farmer to look at 

 this matter, and learn whether there is not some- 

 thing to be gained by him in the great changes 

 that are now taking place. 



Heaet-Words. — An old writer has truthfully 

 remarked, that we may say what we please, if we 

 speak through tears. Tender tones prevent se- 

 vere truths from ofl'ending. Hence, when we are 

 most tender at heart, our words are most power- 

 ful. Hence one great reason why our words have 

 sci much more power during a revival than at oth- 

 er times. Our hearts are more tender then than 

 they usually are — we feel more, and it is easy for 

 the impenitent to see and feel that our hearts are 

 interested in their behalf. They feel that our 

 words are not mere lip-words, but heart-words. 



