16 
January 2, 
Live Stock and Dairy 
A TALK ABOUT SHEEP. 
S ELECTING THE FLOCK.—The par¬ 
ticular breed of sheep to be useful on 
the farm is not as important as good in¬ 
dividuals of whatever breed chosen. A 
sheep that is a poor doer answers the 
same purpose in cutting down profit as a 
poor cow, only on a smaller scale. Bear 
three things in mind in selecting or cull¬ 
ing a flock of whatever breed. First, 
good conformation because it counts for 
so much, and the rest amounts to so little 
without it. Second, size, and third, fleece. 
Type and Conformation. —More can 
be told of the ability to turn feed into 
something more profitable, by the confor¬ 
mation or shape of a sheep than any¬ 
thing else. We look for a round body, 
made so by the spring of the ribs, broad 
across hind quarters; also broad-breasted, 
making both fore and hind legs wide 
apart; thick through the heart, with no 
cut-out or caved-in place just back of 
shoulders; a short rather thick neck, car¬ 
ried up like a stylish horse. All these 
things put together in one sheep indicate 
a big eater and a digestive and assimi¬ 
lative machine inside that will make the 
most fat and flesh possible from the feed 
eaten after growing the fleece and keep¬ 
ing up the wear of the body. Ewes of 
this type never have a starved lamb, un¬ 
less they are starved themselves. Sheep 
built on the opposite pattern of flat ribs 
and consequently narrow body, with nar¬ 
row chest, cat hams and long goose neck 
are dainty eaters, hard to fatten, poor 
mothers, and die easily and early. 
Size and Quality. —Select and breed 
for large size up to a certain point. Ex¬ 
treme specimens of size in any family of 
live stock are not usually as well shaped 
or early maturing, nor as profitable gen¬ 
erally as the more tidy medium pattern. 
It seems to be a rule of nature to build 
coarse and loosely the plant or animal 
that is a giant in its family. A flock all 
the same size and shape will sell well be¬ 
cause uniformity pleases the eye. The 
fact that sheep grow wool that can al¬ 
ways be sold at some price gives them on 
extra chance over some other stock to 
pay for their feed and care. Wool can 
only be counted a by-product, but as that 
wo want just as much of it as possible. 
It will cost very little more to grow a 
big sheep with a 10-pound fleece than 
the same kind with a six-pound coat; at 
least, the extra four pounds of wool will 
not (provided the sheep are otherwise 
the same) cost as much in feed as it will 
bring on the wool market now open to the 
world. 
Improving the Fleece. —There are 
three legitimate ways to get weight in 
fleece. They are density or increased 
number of fibers per square inch; length 
of staple and by increasing the amount 
of oil in the fleece. Oil is useful in the 
fleece although it is sometimes spoken of 
as a waste material that comes out in 
the scouring and is an absolute loss. If 
it were not that every fiber of healthy 
wool is coated with a film of oil the fleece 
woitld mat and tangle and felt together. 
Merino breeders have bred for oily fleeces 
until in some cases they have overdone 
it and their fleeces have chunks of grease 
or oil all through them. Liberal feeding 
tends to increase the amount of oil in the 
wool and also stimulates the growth in 
length, but feed alone will not make a 
long fleece on a sheep that is naturally 
short-woolcd, nor make a very greasy one 
out of one that has been bred for a dry 
oil-less fleece, and no amount of feed will 
increase the number of fibers per square 
inch on the body. Thick-skinned sheep 
usually have dense fleeces. This is pretty 
accurately indicated by the feel of the 
ear. The thicker and more like a pad the 
ear, the thicker the skin, with a corre¬ 
spondingly dense fleece. This does not 
always obtain. 
The Mlttton Breeds. —The man who 
intends keeping only a few in his flock 
will do well to have them of the strictly 
mutton breeds. They need not be pure¬ 
bred, but if they are so much the better. 
Some of the English sheep (for the mut¬ 
ton breeds nearly all originated in Great 
Britain) are much earlier maturing than 
others, and these early ones are the best 
for the Eastern man, because he should 
aim to get the increase of his flock to 
market at the earliest possible moment. 
As with all meat producing animals, the 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKEK 
first pounds of gain on the young cost 
the producer the least and sell for the 
most. 
Standard Breeds. —The Southdown, 
Dorset, Shropshire and Hampshire have 
all found favor with American sheepmen 
because all mature early. They are all 
of the Down or short-wool breeds. As a 
rule the long-wooled British breeds are 
later maturing. One disadvantage with 
the Downs mentioned above is that all, 
excepting the Dorset, are inclined to mate 
so late that very early or Winter lambs 
are out of the question, but where the 
farm arrangement is best suited for later 
lambs, say from February on, any of the 
mutton breeds will fill the bill in that re¬ 
spect. It is claimed for the Dorset that 
they will mate and raise lambs any 
month. I have seen ewes that were 
raising two lambs and sometimes two 
pairs of twins per year, one in Spring, 
another in Fall. Another breed coming 
originally from Africa, is gaining ground, 
the Tunis. Like the Dorset their busi¬ 
ness seems to be to raise lambs twice a 
year, and to mature very early. One 
thing never to forget with the British 
breeds, is that they are the result of a 
long line of breeding and selection that 
has been carried on under the best of 
feeding and care. In fact the ancestors 
of our present-day muttons have many of 
them had individual care to develop them, 
roots, rape, cabbage, hurdled pastures, 
with but few sheep together, and all the 
things to cultivate early juicy meat. No 
breed of sheep developed in this way will 
prosper with scanty fare or neglect. This 
explains why flocks of mutton bred sheep 
fall easy prey to parasites and soon go 
to pieces when turned out to rough it. 
The Merino, that one time was so 
plentiful in the land when wool was the 
chief source of sheep income, has many 
things to recommend it still to land- 
owners. Unlike the English sheep, the 
Merino foundation flocks were of great 
numbers, walking many miles to pasture 
and that not always good. The rule of 
the survival of the fittest developed the 
Spanish Merino, and that characteristic 
vitality still clings to them. When of 
the smooth mutton type they are hardy, 
resist parasites better, shear heavier 
flexes, live longer in larger flocks, and on 
lefS and poorer feed, and are almost as 
sure to mate any season as the Dorset 
or Tunis, and Merino mutton is good. 
For the above reasons ranch flocks are 
li'.rgely or purely Merinos, and men who 
feed aud fatten sheep in large numbers, 
like a dash of Merino blood, and for the 
same reasons smooth Merino or Delaine 
(both mean the same) ewes mated with 
mutton rams make fine mothers, and the 
cross-bred lambs are good and profitable. 
Jefferson Co., O. R. A. hayne. 
W E had, in the Spring of 1013, 38 
ewes and one ram that we wintered, 
raised 39 lambs, sold lambs and 
wool amounting to $211.50. The ewes 
were rather small. We fed them oats 
and bran mixed, one pint to the sheep 
twice a day, and clover hay. We now 
have 45 ewes for this Winter and from 
the outlook now I think wool will go to 
40 cents next Spring unless the wool 
men, that is the speculators, combine 
and keep it down. All we fear in the 
sheep business is the dogs. One of my 
neighbors has sold his flock as he could 
not keep the dogs off; lost quite a num¬ 
ber from time to time. He killed six 
dogs, but did not get them all. s. A. s. 
Strasburg, Va. 
-- 
UNION 
CRAINS 
Costs a little more per pound, 
but makes more milk and keeps 
your cows in prime condition. A 
ready-to-use ration that is abso¬ 
lutely uniform. 
Write for booklet, “Economical 
Feeding.” Sent free to dairy 
feeders for 2-cent stamp. 
THE UBIKO MILLING GO. 
14 E. 3rd St. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you'll get a quick reply and a 
“square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. 
The Annual Reunion of 
the Pickle Family. 
Don’t forget that the ap¬ 
petizing flavor of pickles 
depends on the use of a 
pure salt that is absolutely 
free from bitterness. 
Always use Worcester Salt for 
pickles. Its pure, even crystals 
dissolve quickly — your Worcester 
Salt brine is sure to be clear, spark¬ 
ling and genuinely salty. 
WORCESTER 
SALT 
The Salt with the Savor 
Speaking of pickles, have you 
seen the Worcester Cook Book ? 
It’s full of recipes for tasty pickles 
of all kinds. It is free. Send for it. 
For farm and dairy use, Worcester 
Salt is put up in 14-pound muslin 
bags, and in 28- and 56-pound Irish 
linen bags. Good grocers every¬ 
where sell Worcester Salt. Get a bag. 
Write for booklet. ‘‘Curing Meats on 
the Farm.” Sent free on request. 
WORCESTER SALT COMPANY 
Largest Producers of High-Grade Salt 
in the World 
NEW YORK 
PAGES OF 
VALUABLE 
INFORMATION 
HORSE BOOK 
€J My 35 Years’successful 
veterinary experience has 
taught me much about our 
friend the Horse. My book 
is full of hints and helps, and 
it’s FREE — absolutely. 
~ Write for it. ■ 
Dr. J. G. LESURE 
141 Winchester St., Keene, N. H. 
HOR.SE OWNERS! USE 
GOMBAULT'S 
CAUSTIC 
BALSAM. 
A safe, speedy and positive cure. 
The safest, Beit BLISTER 
ever used. Removes all bunches 
from Horses. Imposssible to 
produce scar or blemish. Send 
for descriptive circulars. 
THE LAWRENCE-WILIJAMS CO., Cleveland, O. 
Market Milk 
Raise your calves 
for beef, and get the 
bigger money to which 
you are entitled. But 
d o not feed the calf whole 
milk, with butter fat 
worth $600 a ton. 
You can sell all 
the mother cow’s 
milk or butter and 
make your calf pay 
you 200% profit on 
its feed,byraisingiton 
RAISE 
YOUP 
CALVES 
WITH ■ 
Bimnm’s 
CALF MEAL 
Blatchford’s Calf Meal 
The Recognized Milk Equa", 
You sret 100 gallons of rich milk feed from 100 pounds "f 
Blatchford's Calf Meal, and it costs you only onc-fourth 
os much. It will make your calf arrow faster. 
Blatchford's Calf Meal is composed of all the olements 
the young calf needs in the most trying period of its life: 
is thoroughly steam cooked—prevents bowel troubles ana 
other ills <tue to improper feeding. 
Blatchford’s Pig Moal insures rapid, sturdy growth of 
young pigs at weaning time. Prevents setback. 
Write us for our Free 
Book on "How to Raise 
Calves Cheaply and Suc¬ 
cessfully Without Milk." 
Blalchfnrd Calf Meal Factory 
9 Madison St., Waukegan, III. 
L C. Beard , Haacrs- 
toum, Md. .write*: "I 
can say Blatchford’s 
Calf Meal will pay 
. anyone 100 Pet. tnat 
• ba3 calves to raise. ’’ 2 
Pure Feeding Molasses 
We are first hands and can quote you absolutely bottom 
prices, delivered your stati 11 . in lots of anywhere from 
one barrel to a trainload. Write for booklet. 
THE IV! EADER-ATLAS CO. 
N. Y. Offlco, 107 Hudson Strool, Now York City 
MOLASSES 
—For Stock. For Prices 
Write THE MOORE 
BROS., Albany, N. Y. 
COOK YOUR FEED and SAVE 
Half the Cost—with the 
PROFIT FARM BOILER 
With Dumping Caldron. Empties 
its kettlein oneininute. Thesimplest 
and best arrangement for cooking 
food for stock. Also make Dairy anil 
Laundry Stoves, Water and 
Steam Jacket Kettles, Hog 
Scalders, Caldrons.etc. B^Sond 
for particulars and ask for circulate ,J 
D. R. Sperry & Co., Batavia, ILL 
our guarautee if rustiug out occurs in ai^ 
AMERICAN INCOT IRON ROOF 
Rust-resisting Pure Iron—Not Steel 
Our bond protects you. Lifetime 
) service, low cost. 
Write today for Free Hoofing Catalog. 
life alao make Corn Crib., Stork Tanks, Wire 
PYiipos. Crib & Tank, or Krnee Catalog Free. 
The American Iron Roofing Co. 
Station 10 MIDDLETOWN, OHIO 
PDIINID'C IMPROVED 
LKUrno O WARRINER 
STANCHION 
Prof. F. G. Helyar of 
Mt. Herman School, Mt. 
Herman, Mass., writes: 
“ We could not get along 
without Warriner Stanch¬ 
ions.” 
Send address for book¬ 
let of information to 
WALLACE B. CRUMB. Box M I. KorcHtville, Coni* 
SAVE VSt CALVES 
CUH positively cures 
WHITE SCOURS, also prevents this dread 
disease. Attacks are sudden ami fatal. Re 
prepared. TRIAL BOTTLE to reputable 
stockmen —send 10c. for postage and pack¬ 
ing. Used extensively in high-grade dairies. 
Dairy size, $1; Veterinary size, $2. 
TROY CHEMICAL CO., 24 Commerce St., Binghamton, N.Y. 
HORSE OVERSHOES. Sharp-shod, for?cy streets, 
guaranteed to prevent slipping. Buckled on 
hoof in a minute. Try 4 shoes C.0.0. S3 exp. 
charges prepaid to you. Here is a chance for 
live agts. to make big money on this new inven¬ 
tion. Write for Agents' prices. 
Herman Mfg. Co. 1420 Pa. Ave. Washington, D.C. 
HORSE LAME? 
Use K IN I)IG’S Famou* 
OINTMENT. A sure cure 
f«r boue, bog, and ,blood 
spavin, ringbone, curb, soft bunches, splint, eic. 50 cents, post* 
paid. K. Kindig, Jr.j Keiuedy 1 o., 4bi£5 Woodland Ave., Phil*. 
DEATHTO HEAVES !!mm 
per and Indigestion Cure. 
Cures Heaves by correcting the 
cause — Indigestion. Prevents 
Colic,Staggers,etc. BcntOon- 
dilioner and Worm Kx- 
peller. Used by Veterinarians 
for 30 years, Th© llrsfc or 
second $1.00 con cures heaves. The 
can Is ffuaranteed to cure or money refunded, 
per can at dealers’ or sent direct prepaid. Booklet free. 
NEWTON REMEDY COMPANY, ^ Toledo, Ohio. 
Know How Much You Make This Year 
No one shall pay a cent for Bickmoro’s Farm Account Book. Mr. Farmer, simply send us your name and 
address. Business farming puts money in the bank. This book is arranged to keep all accounts in simple 
form—more simple, and certainly more practical than trying to remember them; shows what to charge against 
crop production; has a laborer’s time record; and section for personal accounts. 64 pagos; tor ink or ponoll. 
Not a cheap affair. Its quality is in keeping with 
BICKMORE’S GALL CURE 
A soothing, healing salve, the old-time reliable horse remedy. Horses are nov/ loo valuable and too high priced 
to take cnances of losing their services. Get full value out of yours. Bickmore's Gall Cure heals and cures 
Harness and Saddle Galls, Rope Burn, Cuts, Scratches, Grease Heel, etc. Keeps them sound 
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cures while the horse works. Great thing for sore teats in cows. Look out lor substitutes 
and cheap imitations. Be sure to ask lor Bickmore’s Gall Cure at the store. The work¬ 
horse trade mark on every box. Farm Account Book is ready. Send today. 
BICKMORE CALL CURE CO. 
Box 86 0!ci Town, Maine 
