CHAPTER XVIII 



THE BREEDING OF SHEEP 



There are fewer sheep bred in America than of any other of 

 our farm animals. This is due in a large measure to the average 

 American farmer's lack of knowledge in propagating sheep. 

 He is wont to treat them as swine, and under such care sheep fail 

 to thrive. Sheep breeding is a very profitable branch of farm- 

 ing in England and France, where entire farms are devoted to 

 the industry. These farms are profitable because in charge of 

 a competent flock-master, who does no other work, but makes 

 a very careful study of the needs of his flock and supplies 

 every want. On many of these farms the soil was formerly very 

 poor, but through sheep farming they have been restored to 

 fertility, and at present many of them grow very luxuriant crops 

 of forage. 



In America conditions are somewhat different, though there 

 is no reason why our cheap pasture lands cannot be made to 

 yield a handsome profit if slowly converted into sheep pastures. 

 Lack of suitable labor is the greatest drawback to sheep farm- 

 ing in America. We have no flock-masters, as do the English, 

 and the average American seems to be too nervous and unsteady 

 to tend sheep with perfect assurance of success. Properly 

 cared for, sheep are among the most profitable of farm animals, 

 and restore fertility to the land as do no other animals. Every 

 farm devoted to general agriculture should possess a small flock. 

 While they will need considerable care, on such a farm, the food 

 they consume will be largely that which otherwise would be 

 wasted. 



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