1901 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
783 
A TALK ABOUT SHEEP. 
I am keeping a flock of about M sheep 
of the ordinary mixed natives, which I 
find are too small and runty, and do not 
drop their lambs early enough. I want to 
have my lambs dropped In January or 
February at latest, as we have a brisk 
local market In May and June, and by 
July and August everyone has them for 
sale. Our Winters are mild; snow does 
not lie long, as we are surrounded by salt 
water, and we have more wet than snow. 
I wish to grade up with a purebred ram, 
but am undecided between a Hampshire 
or a Ramboulllet, and at the Pan-Ameri¬ 
can I saw some Cheviots which took my 
eye greatly, but I cannot find out much 
about them. I hear that they are hardy, 
good mothers, good milkers and prolific. 
Can they be depended on to drop lambs 
in January? Some say that only the Dor¬ 
set or Tunis will do it, and they seem 
small in size, especially the latter. If this 
be true, which is better of the two latter 
breeds? The good points of all these 
breeds we can find out easily enough, but 
the weak points the papers seem afraid 
of mentioning for fear of treading on 
somebody’s toes. Let me know the truth. 
Suffolk Co., N. Y. J. R. T. 
The inquirer desires his sheep to fill 
certain conditions. He wishes the ewes 
to lamb in January or February. That 
calls for breeding in September or Oc¬ 
tober. He wishes early lambs. The 
Cheviot breed is notable for its hardi¬ 
ness, and the superior quality of its 
mutton, the salable type of wool and 
the beauty of the breed. The inquirer, 
however, states that the climate la mild 
where he is, and I do not believe Che¬ 
viots would be the best breed for his 
purpose so far south. The Cheviot Is a 
superior breed in the respects above re¬ 
ferred to. The ewes are also very ex¬ 
cellent mothers, being good milkers and 
averaging more than one lamb per ewe. 
This breed, however, needs to be Im¬ 
proved in the weight of fieece. Neither 
is it so fat in character as the Shrop¬ 
shire. These last two are the criticisms 
the breed might be considered most open 
to. It seems to me that for the securing 
of early lambs of the most salable class 
the Dorset is best suited to the purpose. 
This breed will lamb easily in January 
and February, and produce a high-class 
early lamb. It has already secured a 
foothold for this purpose in the best 
markets, and the lambs grow rapidly, 
and are easily fattened. I do not con¬ 
sider mature Dorsets as superior wool 
producers, but as early lamb raisers 
they rank high. The breed is also well 
adapted to mild climates. 
The Tunis breed is much less known 
than the Dorset, but the few persons 
handling them make strong claims in 
their behalf. Mr. Roundtree, who has 
been prominently identified with the 
breed states that the ewes will breed 
any month in the year, and he 
makes strong claims in favor of the 
mutton, and the value of the Tunis in 
cross-breeding. The Dorset, however, 
crosses well for the purpose of meat 
production. The Hami>shire ranks high, 
and many early Hampshire lambs have 
been sold in New York market, and the 
breed is an excellent one. Still, I think 
the Dorset may e:^cel it in early breed¬ 
ing and possibly in fattening capacity. 
I have a fiock of Rambouillets under 
my charge, and greatly admire the 
breed. The ewes will also breed early 
in the season. But this type of sheep 
in my judgment will not produce so high 
a class, and plump a lamb as will any 
of the preceding breeds, for early lambs. 
C. 8. PLUMB. 
WHY WE BREED BERKSHIRE SWINE. 
We are often asked whether we like 
the Berkshire better than the Poland 
China. They suit us better. The Po¬ 
land Chinas in this, the southern cen¬ 
tral part of Ohio, outnumber all others 
combined. Chester Whites have a few 
representatives, and the Jersey Reds 
and their grades are found in limited 
numbers. In the early seventies we had 
on the farm grade spotted hogs that 
came nearer being Poland Chinas than 
anything else. Desiring something bet¬ 
ter we bought from Kentucky a pair of 
Berkshires whose sires and dams had 
hut recently been Imported. Other pur¬ 
chases followed, and soon crowded out 
the grade stock. From an imported sow 
that we bought there are descended, so 
far as we can tell, the brood sows now 
on the farm. Several years ago we 
crossed our Berkshire sows with a Po¬ 
land China male, because our Berkshire 
boar was a failure, and besides we 
thought maybe the Poland Chinas would 
suit us better. But we did not experi¬ 
ment long in that direction, but got 
back to the straight Berkshires as quick¬ 
ly as possible. 
We bought them first because we then 
thought them on many counts the best, 
and because we thought many of their 
traits and qualities suited us best. We 
liked their color and markings, and we 
have never seen any other color that 
suited us so well. These points are now 
the fashionable ones with the Poland 
China breeders. They stand well on 
their feet, and in growing up carry bone, 
muscle and fiesh In the most desirable 
proportions. One great i>oint in their 
favor with us is their free action. We 
want a hog that is a good grazer and 
gleaner; one that can clea up the 
wastes In the feed lot where the horses 
and cattle run, and go to its rest each 
night with sound bones and whole hide. 
For years we have kept our sows in the 
feed lot during Winter, where the horses 
and cows are kept during the day, and 
they have never been crippled or failed 
to bring their pigs all right at farrow¬ 
ing time. Always the ohjection against 
them has been that they are too small, 
yet a neighbor and a close observer and 
good feeder has expressed surprise that 
we were able to reach the same weights 
made hy breeds claimed to be larger, 
and said that he did not know how we 
could do It. They respond to rapid feed¬ 
ing in the direction of early maturity 
to please us better than any other breed. 
We are satisfied that no other breed 
would glean our fields as well as they 
do, and save us the expense of harvest¬ 
ing. They are prolific, and the dams 
careful, and at the same time gentle and 
easily handled. 
In two years we were able to market 
from five aged sows 161 fat hogs, except¬ 
ing possibly a half-dozen that were re¬ 
served for breeders. We take great 
pleasure in having them so true to type 
that a stranger cannot note their indi¬ 
vidual differences. When ready for 
market they are always on their feet 
when they reach the station, and the 
shippers tell us that they are sure to be 
on top when they reach the market, and 
that they drift the least of any hogs 
they ship, and sell for the top price. We 
breed them pure because we can see no 
advantage in crossing them, selecting 
our brood sows from our own breeding, 
and purchasing males from some reput¬ 
able breeder. We have not registered 
an animal of our own breeding for 
years. This does not add to their feed¬ 
ing quality, and is only a useless ex¬ 
pense, as we grow to feed for market. 
JOHN M. JAMISON. 
Feeding Purchased Grain. 
Would It pay In net profit to feed cows 
that came In in March to May, and are 
now giving a small quantity of milk on 
poor pasturage and cornstalks, a daily ra¬ 
tion of grain, say equal parts bran and 
cornmeal? I would have to buy grain. 
Give feeding ration. b. v. 
New York. 
In former years, before adopting a 
system of sufficient food each day of the 
year, this question presented itself each 
Fall. Occasionally we tried it, but al¬ 
ways failed to get a profitable return in 
milk. Finally I concluded that a break 
must be made some time for better feed¬ 
ing, and that no doubt whenever it was 
made it would at the outset be at a loss. 
It is just 22 years ago, and the change 
was begun by reason of abortion in the 
herd. Cows that were reduced to a small 
flow, as mentioned in the question, re- 
.spond upon the back instead of the pall, 
unless they are exceptionally good ones. 
Had the questioner mentioned the value 
•f the milk. It would have facilitated an 
answer. If the milk is sold at retail at 
usual prices, say five cents a quart, I 
should say yes. You will get enough 
extra milk to pay for the extra feed, and 
the improved condition of the animals 
will constitute profit enough. I would 
suggest a trial ration of one-third glu¬ 
ten feed, 27 per cent protein, or dried 
brewer’s grains, and two-thirds bran or 
middlings, beginning with three or four 
pounds a day, and watching results. It 
is the watching out for results that an¬ 
swers more questions intelligently than 
anyone, however experienced, can do 
with pencil and paper. Do not feed 
cornmeal unless you have a cow very 
poor in fiesh, which is a rare thing this 
Fall in northern New York, by virtue of 
such a splendid growth of grass. With 
these stripper cows the aim is to stimu¬ 
late their somewhat dormant milking 
energies, and the protein foods will do 
this better than cornmeal, unless, as 
previously stated, cows are poor. Corn¬ 
meal for such cows for a while, say two 
weeks, will seem to start their systems 
into action with more profit than the 
blood-making foods. Another reason 
for discarding corn this Fall is the high 
cost. The cost of foods as well as the 
analyses must be considered in purchas¬ 
ing. H. E. c. 
Soiling and Grain Feeding. 
What soiling crops do you advise for 
Summer milk route (small)? Should a 
grain ration be fed with above and fair 
pasturage. c. m. v. b. 
New York. 
An answer to this question carried 
out to the letter will place the feeder 
in a position one year hence where he 
will find his cows giving a fair fiow of 
milk, and ready to take on a grain ra¬ 
tion at a profit. It is now too late to 
sow a Winter crop for early feeding 
(wheat or rye). But as early as the land 
will work sow one acre of oats and peas 
for each 10 cows. They will not eat 
it all, hut the remainder will make good 
grain food, using bushel Canada 
field peas and 1^4 to two bushels of oats. 
Be sure that the peas are In at least 
three inches deep. Repeat in 10 days, 
and again in 10 days or two weeks. This 
crop will be ready the end of June, and 
last until early corn is ready, and then 
with plenty of corn, and silage as soon 
as cut and filled, making Winter milk 
from good cows in warm stables is an 
easy and sure result. h. e. c. 
•to hold the milk of one cow when she 
is properly fed. Correct dairy feed¬ 
ing means the xise of ground feed exclusively in 
the grain ration. Kxperienced men will toll you 
The Scientific Grinders 
grrlnd ear corn and other grains faster and more I 
cheaply than it can hedoneinany other way. We 
make numerousgriiiders.sweep and power.bon’t 
buy until you see our catalog R Mulled I'ree. 
THE FOOS MANUFACTURINQ CO., Springfield, 0. 
A Post Office At Your Door. 
That is just 
what it 
means to 
have one of 
these mail 
boxes put up 
in front of 
your home. 
It will hold 
all 
or outgo¬ 
ing mail 
securely 
and with¬ 
out dang¬ 
er of dam. 
age from 
wind or 
weather. 
Uncle Sam's 
F avorite 
Mail 
Box 
is not like others—it is better. Mode of heavy steel 
plates, securely riveted together—no solder. Only 
one seam in entire box. Note the letter and change 
holder. Spring lid: alwaysstayscloscd. Cannotbo 
blown open. Box finished in aluminum—can’t tar¬ 
nish or rust. Will last indefinitely. Sample box 
with your name on, sent express paid, for t2.oo. 
Larger quantities at lower rates. Booklet, “The 
Story of a Free Rural Delivery Mail Box and Post,” 
mailed free. Write for it. 
Bond Steel Post Co., AdriaLn, MlcK. 
Short Weights Make Short Purses 
“I cannot nlTord to l)e without a 
sc.T,lc any longer,” wrote an Os- 
good buyer. Can you? Cur JinccS 
^ nnti terms are very rfii.souultlo 
for high grade «calc.^. Proo 
Catalogue. Ongood Scale l‘o.,103Ccn<ral St., Kinghamtoii, N.Y. 
Cream Separator 
ON TEN DAYS’ TEST 
To prove it.s siiperl irity-we 
will lend you for ten days a 
N.ATIONAL 
Hand Separator 
absolutely free of clmrge. No 
obligation to buy. If faulty, re¬ 
turn at our e.xpeii.se. Write 
to-<luy. 
Satifliial Dairy Narliine Co. 
.Newark, N. J, 
Sharples“Tubular 
Dairy Separafoj;s 
the latest product of the 
world’s latdin^ Cream 
Separator manufactory. 
HiaHEST PRIZE (KNIGHT’S 
DECORATION) AWARDED 
AT PARIS. 
No disks to bother with 
and wa.sh. Are very easy 
turners. 
Guaranteed to produce enough 
more butter than the best compet¬ 
ing separator to pay 6% on whole 
flret cost of machine each year. 
Five sizes—$50 to $200 ea^ 
Valuable book on “Buslneaa Dairying" 
and CataJoguo No. lis free. 
Sharpies Co., P. M. Sharpies. 
Chicago, III. West Chester, Pa. 
HiLK, BEEF, BUTTER 
Tork, Muuon,etc.,ihe most ofU and 
the b^st, can be most cheaply pro¬ 
duced by feeding ground teed. Our 
little booklet on JJve Slnek FeodSiig 
tells hew aiid why. TeiIs also about 
the time>tried and ever popular 
O I All GRINDER 
The booklet te full of good things for 
farmers, feeders, dairymen,etc. We 
mail it free. Ask for it. 
STAR MFQ. CO., 13 Depot Street, New Lexington, Ohio. 
Save$ 10 per Cow 
EVKBY YEAR OF USB. 
De Laval Cream Separators 
Prices, $50 to $800. 
“Alpha” and “Baby"styles. Send for Catalogue 
THE DE LAVAL SEPARATOR CO., 
Randolph and Canal Streets, I 74 Cortlandt Street. 
CHICAGO. I NBW YORK 
NSILAGE, CUTTERS. 
0 c m Fn silage wtih pleasure requires a strong and Urge capacity machine 
ENSILAGE 
CUTTERS 
Have Proven Superior lo all Others. 
THE E. W. ROSS CO., 
SPRINGFIELD, O. 
Send for Catalogue No. 44 • which describes the full line. 
THE ROSS 
i 
I 
Bushei in *9 liiiiaigaTK^w 
Less Than O llllllUICOi 
That’s the way your feed will bo 
ground when you use the 
KEYSTONE 
Triple Gear 
GRINDING MILL. 
Builtas strong as au anvil. Burrs 
are of hard white iron. Boxes 
an<i guy irons fumisherl with 
mill. Capacity of mill from 20 to 
:iu bushels per hour. We are makitig a special in¬ 
troductory price n<>w. Write for tlie catalogue aiul 
prices on the full line. Corn shellers, planters, cul- 
tivatoi-s, leedeutteis, etc. 
Keystone Farm Machine Co., 
1547 Beaver St., York, Pa. 
Cutaway Harrow will eat 
move 15,000 tons Of earth< 
foot In a day 
SAMPSON 
TOBACCO PRESS 
Clark’s 
CIDER 
MILLS 
1 to 8 Bbls. 
CLARK’S DOUBLE-ACTION. 
Ciaik's suiky 
Gang Disk Flow. 
hTom 3 to 8 feet. 
For horse Or 
Steam Power. 
$5 Buys the BEST 
ROOT CUTTER ON 
EARTH. 
Send for circulars to 
CCTAVVAy HARROW COMPANY 
Higganum, Conn. 
