338 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



thousands of cords of seaweed. The seasons are much milder than on 

 the mainland. Upon this island Mr. Longfellow had a flock of about 

 275 sheep, which he had purchased in 1869 of a former occupant. 

 They were of a mixed class and showed traces of the Merino and South- 

 down, with some of the coarse, long-wooled breeds. These sheep ran 

 on the island summer and winter, being divided into flocks of about 

 25 to 30 each, and kept in an inclosure where they could get to the 

 shore for seaweeds and into the woods for shelter. Their living in 

 winter was chiefly on some varieties of seaweed, principally on what 

 is known as "dulse." In the spring, when the tides run out very low, 

 they were in the habit of going out on the rocks and ledges as far as 

 they could get, to feed on the lichens and dainty bits of sea growth. 

 They ate also the branches of nearly all the trees that grew on the 

 island. Other details, and the mode of winter keeping, are given in 

 Mr. Longfellow's words : 



They are nearly as wild as deer. My sheep now commence lambing in Marcli and get 

 through hy the 1st of May. I find these early lambs are hardier than late ones. They 

 ■\TiU stand a snowstorm better than a cold rain, and by coming early the lambs are 

 better able to stand the winter, and the ewes wean the lambs time enough to get 

 recruited before cold weather. Few sheep are lost by disease. As I go about the 

 island, I find nearly all the bushes with the ends of the branches bitten off. They 

 like fir better than spruce; are very fond of mountain ash, eating branches as large 

 as your finger; and also bark elder is a favorite food, and raspberry; also the moss 

 from old stumps and logs. I had a flock in my field this winter. The snow came 

 deep in March, and I used to carry out hay to them, about 50 pounds daily to about 

 50 sheep. After a while they would come up near the barn for it. Sometimes sheep 

 from the other parts of the island would come up where they were eating, but would 

 take only a few mouthfuls, and then leave it. I have several times taken tegs to 

 the barn that were poor and weak, but they almost always die. It seems to be hard 

 for them to get through the first winter; after that they are all right. The wethers 

 keep fat all winter. The mutton of these island sheep is very superior. It has 

 none of the mutton taste, so many dislike, but resembles venison. 



When Mr. Longfellow bought his flock it was " everything mixed." 

 He tried to improve it by buying the largest rams he could find ; he 

 had one or two grade Cotswolds, and one long-Avool sheep that he 

 thought was a Leicester. He had an idea that the Lincolns were the 

 proper sheep for the island, but did not know but the Cheviot would 

 be better. His success with " barn-raised rams " or those raised on 

 the mainland, was not assuring. The first one he turned out, and the 

 next February took up barely alive; the second year he weathered it 

 till about March. Others did about the same. But sheep born on the 

 island, if they survived the winter, seemed to be all right, which led 

 him to the conclusion that an island or seashore life changes the nature 

 of the animal. 



A more recent coutribubion to the knowledge of sea-island sheep 

 farming is found in the experience of Mr. John P. Wentworth of East 

 Knox. It is given by Mr. Boardman in his report on the resources of 

 Maine, heretofore noticed. Mr. Wentworth purchased in July 1882 



