A manual of sheep husbandry in Georgia [1883]

A MANUAL
-OF-
SHEEP HUSBANDRY
-IN--
GEORGIA.
SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED.
FIRST EDITION ISSUED OCTOBER, 1875.
Prepared under tlte direction of tlte Commissioner of Agriculture.
J. T. HENDERSON, COMMISSIONER.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 1883.
.,AS. P. HARRISON &. CO., PRINTERS, ATLANTA, GA.

A MA. NUAL
-OF-
SHEEP HUSBANDRY
-IN-
G. EORGIA.
SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED.
FIRST EDITION ISSUED OCTOBER, 1875.
Prepared under the direction of the Commissioner of Agriculture.
J. T. HENDERSON, COMMISSIONE.R..
ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
",!Jt-J-.I..<..D..~.O...
,"So P. HARRISON & CO., PRINTERS, ATLANTAi; GA~

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

PREFAOE TO SEOONDEDITION.
The first edition of 10,000 copi.es of the" Manual of SheepHushandry in Georgia " was issued from this Department in 1875,. under the auspices of Hon. Thos. P. Janes, then Oommissioner of Agriculture. The encomiums of the press, not only of this State, but of the whole country, created such a demand for it that the edition was soon exhausted. No publication of the kind ever met with more universal favor. The demands for information on sheep husbandry have been so frequent recently that this edition is issued with such additions to the original as are deemed necessary to convey fully the information sought in the numerous letters of inquiry weekly received at this office.
It has been deemed proper to illustrate some of the breeds best suited for culture, either pure or for grading up our common stock. The difficulties of the labor problem which environ the farmers of the South render the present a most auspicious season for embarking in sheep husbandry. If this little pamphlet shall supply the demand for information on the subject of which it treats, and even partially relieve ~he owners of lands in Georgia of the em barrassments arising from the labor problem, the objects of its iFSUewill have been accomplished .
..
~ .~ .0
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A Manual of Sheep Husbandry in Georgia~

,
Ci'J'oula'l' No. 39. } New Series.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ATLANTA, GA., March 1, 1883.

The act establishing a Department of Agriculture for the State-

of Georgia, defining the duties of the Oommissioner of Agricul-

ture, says:

.

"It shall be the especial duty of said Oommissioner to investi.
gate and report, as is hereinbefore set forth, upon the culture or

wool, the utility and profit of sheep raising, and all the information

upon this important subject that he may deem of interest to the

people of this State."

In order to carry out practically this specific requirement of the-

law, the regular correspondents of this Department, in all parts of

the State, were requested to give, with their August returns, the

names and post-office address of three of the principal sheep-raisers

in their respective counties.

Having thus learned the address of those actually engaged in the

business, the f.ollowing catechism was sent to each in Special Oil"

cular No.9:

"Please answer the following questions, basing your replies upon

your personal experience and observation in sheep husbandry:

"1. What breed or breeds have you tested?

,. 2.' Which has proved most profitable 1

"3. What crosses have you tested?

(, 4. Which have proved most profitable 1

"5. When did you commence keeping sheep 1

"6. How milllY have you in your flock?

"7. What variety do you breed at this time 1

"8. What variety do you recomm"end for general purposes-foro
wool and mutton 1

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-GEORGIA.

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"9. What is the annual cost per head of keeping sheep? "10. What pet cent. per annum on investment do Jour sheep pay? "11. What is the average annual clip per sheep in unwashed wool? "12. What is the average 'price received per pound for unwashed wool ~ "13. What is the cost of a pound of wool after charging the -sheep with all the expenses, and crediting them with lambs, mutton, manure, etc. ~ "14. What is the average number of lambs raised annually com. qlaFed with the number of ewes kept ~ "15. What is the average price per head received for lambs sold to the butcher? "16. What i~ the average value of sheep per head in your :section? "17. What is the average price per head received for mutton ,sheep ~ "18. What summer pasturage have your sheep ~ "19. What winter pasturage ~ "20. Is it necessary to feed them in winter? "21. If EO, on what do you feed them ~ "22. How long do they require it ~ '" 23. What disease or diseases have proved most destructive ~ -" 24. State the remedy or remedies successfully used? ." 25. What are the principal obstacles to sheep raising? ," 26. What remedies do you suggest? "27. Have you utilized the manure from your sheep? ." 28. Give the result of your experi,ellce as to its value. '''29. Give facts as to area annually fertilized by a given number
~fsheep.
"30. Give facts as to results in crops raised on lands so fertilized. "31. .Give any other information of value." From the answers returned to the above questions the following anform.ation is gathered: Of those who have tested crosses in Georgia, 98 per cent. report rthe cross of the merino -and the native most profitable. . The average annual prQfitqJ:!,$e capital invested in sheep in

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SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN GEORGIA.

1

Georgia is 63 per cent. This presents a very marked contrast between the profits of sheep raising and cotton growing.
The average annual cost per head of keeping sheep is only fiftyfour cents. In 3nswer to Question No. 13, the average cost of raising a pound of wool is only gim cents, while the average price for which the unwashed wool is sold is 33t cents, or 27t cents net.
An average of seventy.four lambs is raised for every hundred -ewes, notwithstanding the ravages of dogs.
, 'the average yield of unwashed wool to the Bheep is 3.44 pounds, which, at 27t cents net, gives an average clear income in wool from each sheep of 94 cents.
Theaverage price received for lambs sold to the butcher in Georgia, is $1.87. The average price of stock sheep is $2.58 per head.
The average price of muttons is l'eported ,at $2.75 per head. . Ninety per cent of the correspondents report dogs the principal, and generally the only, obstacle to sheep husbandry. Seventy five per cent. of the correspondents recommend the pro. tection of sheep against the ravages of dogs by some appropriate legislation. Many report the enterprise "generally abandoned on account of the absence of such protection. There were in Georgia, in 1860, according to the U. S. cemUE', 512,618 sheep. The U. S. census of 1870 gives the number of sheep in Georgia as 419,465. Estimated number now in the State, 553,968. According to the returns of the Tax Receivers, collected under. the auspices of this department, the number now in the State is 319,323. This shows a decrease, from 1860 to 1870, of 93,153, and from 1810 to 1875, of 100,142 sheep in the State, or a decrease, in fifteen years, of 193,295, or 38 per cent. decrease during a period in which there should have been 100 per cent. inerease. These are startling facts which demand the careful consideration of the statesman and legislator. Why is it that a branch of ind.ustry which, according to the verdict of those engaged in it, pays an annual profit of 63 per cent. on the capital invested, should be languishing, and, in many instances, en. tirely abandoned? From the same source from which the number of sheep:K1 the State is obtained, we learn that there are 9'9,415 dogs in Georgia, and that they destroyed, between April 1st, 1874, and A pril 1st,

"

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-GEORGIA.

[82J

1875, 25,625 sheep. :M;ay we not find an explanation of the de-

crease in the number of sheep in the above figures?

In the .June ,reports, three-fourths of the regular crop reporters

represent the ravages of dogs as the principal obstacle to sheep-

raising, and estimate that fifteen per cent. of the sheep in the State

are annually killed by dogs, and that six per cent are lost by disease

and other causes.

The special correspondents on sheep husbandry-those actually

engaged in the business, and henc~ more familiar with the subject-

were asked to state the principal obstacles to sheep-husbandry.

Ninety per cent. of the whole number report the ravages of dogs

as the principal, and generally the only, obstacle.

'

The statistics collected by the Tax Receivers seem to corroborate

the reports of these two sets of correspondents, since there are tl/,irty-

one dogs for everyone hundred sheep, or nearly one to three, and

since these dogs are allowed to destroy in one year 28,625 sheep,

worth $73,852, or nine per cent. of the value of all the sheep in

the State. Nothwithstanding this loss, the annual profits are 63

per cent. Remo,e the cause of the loss, and the profits will be

72 per cent. on the capital at present invested in sheep, and the

amount so invested would, in a very few years, be quadrupled

when the clear profits, at the above rates, would be $2,372,687, per

annum-more than the tvtal receipts into the treasury of the State

in the year 1874, and more than one-fourth the State debt.

The value of the sheep annually killed by dogs, $73,852, would

more than pay the per diem and mileage of the members of the

House of Representatives of Georgia.

Correspondents report that 100 sheep regularly folded will fer-

tilize, so as to double the yield of crops, eight acres a year.

At this rate, even the number at present in Georgia will fertilize

annually 25,544 acres.

We will suppose this area to be planted in cotton, and that with-

out the sheep manure it would produce one-half of a bale of cotton

per acre. The incr~ase on that area would be 12,772 bales of cot-

ton, worth, at $50 net per bale, $638,600.

1 there were 2,000,000 sheep in Georgia, as there would be if

properly protected, the increased pr()duction from the effects of

their manure, at the above rates, would be worth $4,000,000 per

annum, or more than one-third the amount of the State debt.

[33]

SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN GEORGIA,

It is hoped and believed that the Legislature will, at its next ses-

sion, adopt such measures as will remove the pl'e;;ent obstacles to

this most important industry, If this is done, thousands of farmers in Georgia will immediately

embark in sheep husbandry, and millions of acres of land now idle

andan expense to their ownet'S will be rendered profitable as "sheep

walks, and gradually improved in fertility. It will open the way

for a tide of immigration into Georgia of thousands of the best,

most quiet, peaceable, indllstrious and profitable laborers, who

nearly double their number annually, demand no wages, do not

steal or commit other crimes, labor assiduously throughout the

year, feed and clothe themselves and their masters, make no strikes,

utter no complaints, and never "die in debt to man."

Such a laborer is the sheep, the best and cheapest in the world.

Is it not remarkable that such laborers can not lie down to rest at

night in a civilized community without risking their lives at the

hands (or rather, the mouths) of their idle and lawless neighbors,

the dogs, who spend the day in idleness or sleep, and the night in

murder and theft?

"

Farmers who read the above facts, derived as they are from the

experience of practicalherdsmen, will very naturally ask themselves

the question

SHALL I BUY SHEEP?

The answer to this question in the face of all the obstacles which

at present exist in Georgia is rather difficult, especially to the small

farmer who cannot afford to keep a number sufficient to justify the

employment of a shepherd to watch and protect his flock.

The small farmer, who would keep only from fifty to one hun-

dred sheep, cannot thus safely invest his money unless his farm is

so arranged that his flock can be kept near his house and securely

penned at night.

.

This necessity generally prevents the utilization of his best pasture lands and greatly increase:; the expense of keepin~sheep.

, It is therefore the small farmers, constituting the great mass of

the agriculturists of Georgia, who suffer from the neglect of 6ur

law-makers to afford the necessary protection to this most profitable

branch of their legitimate business. The first question then for his

consideration is, as to the requisite pasturage or range. 1 this

is abundant, he must consider well if, with his surroundings, the

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-GEORGIA.

[34]

probable loss by dogs and stealage will leave a margin for profit. If his sheep can be protected from rogues, both q~tadruped and biped, without too much cramping the pasturage or increasing the expense, handsome profit is assured. The keeper of as many as 400 or 500 sheep is independent of dogs and rogues since he 'can afford to employ a herdsman to accompany the flock, and not only protect them, but econO~ilise by herding them on uncultivated lands that could not be otherwise utilized.
Hoping that many farmers, and especially the young men in Georg-ia, will be induced by the above facts to engage in sheep raising, a short manual will be furnished to serve as a guide to the inexperienced, and perhaps be serviceable to many who, though engaged in the business, have given but little attention to either its principles or its practice.
The first question which demands attention is the adaptation of Georgia to sheeiJ husbandry.
THE CLIMATE
of Georgia corresponds with that of the best wool growing regions of the world. Spain, once so famous for its Merinos, is warmer on its southern coast than Southern Georgia. Australia, now one of the principal wool-growing regions of the world, embraces the latitude of Georgia, but has a maximum temperature in Decembertheir mid-summer month-of 112 degrees Fahrenheit.
From Mr. Randall, on "Sheep Husbandry in the South," we get some idea of the progress of wool growing in Australia and Van Dieman's Land. 1\e says: "In 1810 the export of wool from Australia and Van Dieman's Land was 167 pounds; in 1833 it had reached 3,516,869 pounds. In 1843 it amounted to 16,226,400 pounds." In 1848 it had increased to 30,034,567 pounds. In 1871 the crop of Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand was 168,785,993 pounds. There is no reason why, with proper protection, Georgia may not show a proportionate increase in the next decade.
The effects of warm climates and their perennial herbage upon wool, bear a marked analogy to these of warm climates upon vege. tation, giving increased vigor of growth, length, uniformity and strength of fibre, and consequently grea.ter weight to the wool.
Consider in thilil connection the difference in the cost of keeping sheep in warm and cold climates, and we find that warm climates have decidedly thl3 advantage.

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SHEEP Hl:SBANDRY IN GEORGIA.

11

On this subject correspondents shall speak from experience. Mr. David Ayers, of Camilla, Mitchell county, in Sop.thwestern Georgia, where snow never falls and the ground seldom freezes, and where the original pine forest is carpeted with native grass, says hissheep-3,500 in number-cost him r..nnually fourteen cents per head, and clip three pounds of unwashed wool, which sells at thirty cents per pound, giving a clear profit of ninety per cent. on the money and labor invested in sheep. Lands suited to sheep raising can be purchased in this section of the State at from $1.50 to $1,0 per acre according to location. Mr. Ayers does not feed his sheep at any time during the year, neither has he introduced the 'improved breeds, using only what is known as the native sheep. Of course the cross of the merino on this stock would give better results in both quantity and quality of wool. 'rhese sheep received little care except to be gathered up once a year to be sheared and marked. Mr. Ayers complains of the ravages of dogs on the sheep, and of hogs and eagles on lambs. Mr. John McDowell, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, keeps 650 highly improved sheep, which cost annually, $1.54 per head to keep them. He aims to make his wool clip clear, which averages 41bs. of brook-washed wool* per sheep, and sold this year at fifty. six cents per lb., or $2.24 for each sheep sheared; but the last crop cost, on account of the severe winter, fifteen coots per lb., which makes his net income per sheep, $1.60. His sheep are worth $3.50 per head, and his net profits are forty-six per cent. on the capital invested in them. The land on which Mr. McDowell pastures his sheep is worth about fifty dollars per acre, or fully ten times ehe value of that on which Mr. Ayer's flocks feed. In other words, Mr. McDowell, in the fine farming regions of Pennsylvania, must invest, supposing that he keeps two sheep to the acre and Mr. Ayers one, five times as much in land as Mr Ayers, to make onehalf the profit on the money invested in sheep. It will thus appear, that where sheep-husbandry is made a

.Owing to its freedom from hay seed, and the fact that the heavy spring rains wash out the yolk a~d dirt, just before shearing time, Georgia unwashed wool is as clean as Pennsylvania brook-washed.

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-GEORGIA.

[36]

specialty, Southern Georgia has a decided advantage over Pennsylvania.
Mr. Robert C. Humber, of Putnam county, in Middle Georgia, furnishes some interesting fact'1 from his experience in sheep raising as a factor of mixed husLandl'Y, in which the famous and much dreaded Bermuda grass is utilized.
He keeps 138 sheep of the cross between the Merino and the common stock.
He says they cost "nothing except the salt they eat," while they pay 100 per cent. on the investment,in mutton, lambs and wool.
They yield an average of 3Ibs., of wool per head, whibh he sells at the very low price of twentyjive cent8-less than the market price. It costs him nothing except the shearing-. His sheep range on Bermuda grass old fields in summer, a~d the plantation at large, embracing- the fields from which crops have been gathered, and the cane bottoms in winter. They are never fed at any season.
No diseases of consequence are ~eported in the fiOllks in Georgia. Having selected a representative report from each of the 10weI" sections of Georgia, we will now put Mr. Richard Peters-who is, perhaps, better informed on the subject in hand than any other gentleman in Georgia-on the witness stand, and have his testimony on the snbject of sheep husbandry in North Georgia.. Mr. Peters has tested the "Spanish Merino, French Merino, South-down, Ox.' fordshire-Down, Leicester, Asiatic Broad.tail 01' Tunisian, Improved. Kentucky, Cotswold, and native sheep:" Of these, the Spanish Merino and natives prove most profitable,. the other pure breeds prove unhealthy with him. He h'ts tested the crosses between the South-Down and Cotswold, South-Down and native, Cotswold and native, and Spanish Merino and native. The crosses between the Spanish Merino and native, and the CotswolJ and native, have proved most profitable. Of these twocros,es he, in common with every othl3r Georgia correspondeat,. gives the decided preference to the cross of tlie Spanish Merino and native. Mr. Peters' experience and experiments, extending- through twenty-seven years, are of g-re-at value; and while they must have been very expensive to him, they will save others the expense and time of ascertaining-, by experiment, what ,he has already done for them.

[37]

SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN GEORGIA.

13

"For general purposes, for wool and mutton," he recommendA

most decidedly, the cross from native ewes and Spanish Merino bucks

-the pro~eny showir:g marked improvement, having constitution,

fattening properties, thriftiness, and a compact, close fleece."

"Where the pasturage is very good and more size is desired, a

Cotswold buck may then be used to advantage, with the one-

half or three-fourths blood Merino ews. A first cross between the

Cotswold and native is seldom successful; the pure bred Cotswold

begins to decline after the first seaso1\, and their progeny seldom do

well unless the pasturage is extra good and in small flocks, with

constant care and attention."

. While he raises only seventy lambs to the hundred ewes of the

pure Merinos, he raises a lamb for every ewe of the cross-bred

natives and MeIinos.

.

During mild winters in Gordon county, his sheep require feedmg

only thirty days; in cold, wet winters, twice that length of time.

Speaking of the remedies for worms in the head, foot-rot and dis-

, seased livers and intestines of the lambs, caused by parasitic worms,

he says: "Change of pasturage and a liberal use of tar on the noses

of the sheep during the summer months will check the fly during

the time of depositing its eggs on the nostrils of the sheep. This

disease shows itself by a running at the nose, and is mnch more pre-

valent among the native sheep than the Merino.

"The 'foot-rot' generally yields to blue-stone and spirits of tur-

'pentine, after a free use of the knife. It can readil.y be eradicated

from a flock by the use of nitrate of silver and burnt alum. The

disease caused by worms in the internal yiscera of lambs has shown

itself, to some extent, in the flocks of upper Georgia. Uhange of

pasture, and keeping the lambs from wet low-ground pastures dur-

ing the SUUlmer months, and especially at weaning time, will pre-

vent a spread of the disease.

"When lambs are in good order and run on upland pastures this

disease does not show itself to any injurious extent."

Speaking of the value of the manure of the sheep, he says: "I

can only. judge of its value by the compact sod of grass on my

sheep pastures, capable of sustaining ten head to one as compared to

twenty years ago."

He further says: "I have found that the native sheep can be

rapidly.improved by proper attention, and by separating the ewe

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUL'!'URE-GEORGIA.

[38~

lambs from the bttck ttntil a year old. This is the bases of any SttO-

oess/ttl attempts at improving tIle native sheep, and unless it is

attended to no great ohange oan be made. One of the advantages

attending the Merino, is the fact that the ewes seldom' breed until

they are two years old." He says: "The best combination flock of

mutton and wool, suited to our climate, can be readily built up on

the natives as the basis, using the Merino buck for the first cross,

and then the Cotswold to give more eize and a longer staple to the

fleece."

,

Lengthy extracts have been given from Mr. 'Peter's replies to

the foregoing questions in order that others may avail themselveti

of his large practical experience and observation. It will b~ seen that his experience agrees with that of nearly

every oth13r sheep raiser in the State, as to the crosses most profit-

able in Georgia. It is a well established fact that the large, long-

wooled Leicesters and Cotswolds are not adapted to our climate or

pasturage. They require a cool climate and a full bite of grass.

Even if we had both of these requisites it is plain that wool grow-

ing must, for many years, be the leading object of the sheep hus-

bandry of .Georgia, since we have not home markets for mutton.

INCREASE OF LAMBS IS INCREASE OF WOOL.
A first principle, which every sheep raiser should lay down as the foundation of sqccessful husbandry is, that "increase of lambs is increase of wool," and, hence, e~,pecial attention should be given to the ewes at lambing time, and the necessary means employed to have the lambs to come as early in the season as possible.
In all of Middle and Lower Georgia the lambs should commence coming by the first of January. In North Georgia, either in November, or last of February and first of March. It is an old maxim that" one JaI).uary is worth two March lambs."
To regulate this, the bucks should not be allowed to run through the year with the ewes, but should be separated from them as soon as they have finished service in the fall and kept from them until their services are again needed.
The period of gestation of the ewe is 151 to 152 days, so that to have the lambs commence coming by the first of January the bucks should be turned with the ewes by the first of August. January lambs make better carcasses, and, of course, yield more wool than late ones.

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SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN GEORGIA.

15

During the la.mbing season, the breeding ewes should be kept in a flock to themselves, seen at least twice daily, and unless there is an abundance of green pasturage, should be fed moderately, but regularly. Cotton seed afford a cheap and excellent food for sheep. These,' with oat or rye pastures sown early in the fall, will afford sufficient food to induce an abundant flow of milk for the lambs, and at the same time keep the ewes in a healthy, thrivinp; condition, and increase the clip of wool for the next season. It is important for the health of the sheep, and for the quantity as well as the quality of the wool, that they should not grow thin during the winter; and, indeed, that they should continue in a uniformly good condition throughout the year. It is a, recognized fact among woolgrowers, that fat sheep produce more, though perhaps coarser wool, than thin ones, and that the strength, as well as the length of the fibre is improved bv continued health and p;ood condition of the sheep. The part of' the 'fibre grown during periods of low condition or health, will be weaker than that p;rown when an abundance of food is supplied, and these weak points in the fibre' injure. its quality, and, of course, its sale.
It is on this principle that wool grown in warm climates, where the sheep have a continuous supply of p;reen food, is heavier and of better quality than that grown in colder climates, where the sheepgrow thin during severe winters.
BUCKS.
One buck in vigorous condition will serve fifty ewes, if allowed to_ run with them-more, if kept up and the ewes turned out as soon
as they have been served once. To avoid unnatural excitement and undue worry by rUIlning from ewe to ewe, and by fip;hting, each buck should, if possible, be placed in a separate enclosure, with the ewes intended for him. If an expensive buck is usen, and it is desired that he shall serve a large number of ewes, he may be kept in a pen into which fifteen or twenty ewes may be turned at a time. The brisket of the buck may be rubbed with Venetian red and lard, or common lampblack and lard. Have an active shepherd constantly present, who, with as little excitement as possible, will remove the ewes as fast as the buck marks them with the coloring matter on his brisket.
By this means a buck may serve an hundred ewes with as little

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-GEORGIA.

[4(1]

injury to himself, and with as much certainty as to results, as he will fifty when allowed to run with the flock.
Bucks should be fed on oats during the period of their service. Ram lambs should not be admitted to service under any circumstances. Yearling bucks should not be allowed to serve more tlran thirty ewes. At two years old they may be admitted to full service.
SELEOTION.
In the selection of bucks, or in turning out lambs for that purpose, "form, size and covering" are the three points to be considered.
If the buck is to be coupled to a promiscuous flock of ewes, his form should be symmetrical, and well developed at every point.
If he is intended to serve ewes that are defective in anyone point, the buck should, if possible, be selected with a special development in opposition to the difeots of the ewes, so that such defect may be neutralized in the progeny. Lambs intended for service as bucks, besides the requisites of form, size and covering, should have evidences of health and thrift, care being taken that no impediments be placed in the way of their full development.
Bucks should neither be small, nor should they be large at the expense of symmetry, hardiness and compactness. The covering, or fleece, should be compact, uniform, and envelop the whole body. The selection of bucks is of special importance to the Georgia hus-. bandman, since his first object muat be to "grade up" the native stock by the use of pure or nearly pure bred Merino bucks, with a special view to their wool producing properties, improving at the same time the weight and quality of the fleece. Twenty dollars seems to our people a large price to be paid for a buck) but when the fact that such a cross will add a pound or more to the weight of the fleece and se~eral cents per pound to its value, the advan. tages of such an investment will be too apparent to require further comment.
SUMMER MANAGEMENT.
Whether sheep-raising be made a factor of mixed husbandry Of a specialty, the herdsman should remetnber that for sheep " chang13 is more important than range." In the extensive sheep-walks of North, or the wire grass regions of South Georgia, the flocks find the necessary change by extending their walk.

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SHEEP HUSBA:NDRY IN GEORGIA.

17

If they are kept within inclosures, they should have frequent .change of pasture to secure health and the necessary .variety of iood.
If.a given nnmber of sheep are to be grazed upon 100 acres, they will thrive better if this is divided into two fields of 50 acres each, ;~lDd the flock alternated monthly between them, than if they are -allowed to run constantly on the whole area. Besides having fresh shading ground during the day and fresh beds at night, there are -certain pungent plants which seem necessary to the health of the ,gheep, and which become exhausted or exterminated on permanent ,sheep-walks.
SALT, FRESH WATER AND SHADE.
Salt l'hould be either made constantly accessible to sheep in their 'pasture by placin~ the rock-salt in boxes in sufficient number to prevent scuffling and fightin~ over them, or they should be salted regularly twice a week in boxes or troughs, or on clean rocks provided for the purpose, selecting the evening in preference to the mornin~ to avoid too free nse of water after the salt and its consequent bad effects on the health of the sheep. TronghB dug in ordinary pine poles filled with common tar, and this kept re~ularly sprinkled with :salt and placed at a convenient point in the sheep-walk, serve the double purpose of supplying salt and inducing, a moderate consumption of the tar which acts as a disinfectant, and conduces to Ihealth.
While there are advantages in having the s'11t always accessible, the semi-weekly inspection of the flock by the master at salting time, and the constant renewal of acquaintance between the master :and his flock, is excetdingly valuable to both. The eye of the master is the safeguard of the flock.
The sheep is exceedingly neat, and even fastidious about its food ,and drink, and hence should have clean grass and clear, running water. Though they use less water than other animals, often passing some days without it, it is none the less necessary for their ,comfort and health that it should be accessible.
During our summer months sheep feed early in the morning and late in the evening, spending the Jest of the day in the shade.
This fact is enough to show the necessity of an abundance of ,good shade in every pasture. They seek the same sheltering places

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA.

[42)

day after day until they become very foul and injurious to the health of .the flock.
Unless a change of pasturage is practicable, these resting places should be occasionally cleaned off, and the manure from them saved. Flocks should never be disturbed in the heat of the day; all changes from pasture to pasture, from pasture to pen, and vice versa, being made either early in the morning or in the cool of the evening, giving a decided preference to the morning.
The flock should be closely watched in spring and early summer for indications of maggots in the wool, and spirits of turpentine promptly used on the infected part. A sheep thus dfected usually separates itself from the rest of the flock and mopes about alone.
The presence of maggots in the wool will be indicated by a dingy bluish appearance. If prompt attention is not given, the flesh will be penetrated, and serious injury, if not death, ensue.
1 not salted regularly in wet spells, diarrhea is apt to followt with !l. fouling of the wool in the rear. These "tags" should be promptly removed with the shears, and if the disease is obstinater the sheep fed for a few days on meal with a little salt in it, and other dry food if the patient can be induced to take it.
WHEN TO SHEAR.
As the leading object of sheep husbandry in Georgia must for years be the growth of wool, next in importance to breeding to the highest development of the fleece. is its judicious gathering and management after it is grown, to secure the best profits.
The great object to be looked to then, is to secure the maximum uniform clip of marketable wool, with minimum risk of health and comfort to the sheep. No better rule as to the time of shearing can be given, than that clear warm weather should be selected, not so early as to risk the health of the sheep by cool spells following the removal of its winter coat, nor so late that the winter coat has become oppressive, or has commenced to waote to make room f01" another. In the selection of this appropriate season each owner must exercise a sound judgment.
HOW TO CATCH A SHEEP
is a matter of more importance than would appear at first glance. The usual practice of catching them by the wool is cruel--not to< say barbarous. Anyone who wishes to see the bad effects of such

[43J

SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN GEORGIA.

19

a practice can do so by catching a sheep intended for the butcher by the wool and then noticing the inflamed places on the pelt and body caused by pulling the wool, when it is removed, say in twentyfour hours after it is caught. Having the "heep in a pen, the shepherd advances, placing his left arm around the neck of the sheep and the right hand upon the rump to prevent its backing. After raising the fore legs from the ground he passes first the right and then the left hand around, just behind the fore legs, and the sheep' is at his mercy to be removed to a smooth grass plat adjacent to the pen, on which a canvas or some green leaves have been spread.. The shearer places the f:<heep on its right side, bringing its head under his left leg beneath the bend of the knee, and its hind legs under the right leg, he being in a sitting position on the ground., Commencing near the middle of the belly-wool, pass the shears smoothly but rapidly forward, pressilJg the wool towards the back gently, but not with sufficient tension to risk raising the pelt in the way of the shears. When the wool has been clipped a little beyond the ridge of the back, the fleeca is tucked well under the sheep, which is simply rolled over from the shearer, and at the same time drawn towards him, the part of the fleeee already clipped being kept rolled over without separating it from that remaining on the sheep. When the entire fleece has been removed, it is spread on a clean sheet or floor with the clipped side down. The scraps are thrown in, the wool from the neck, legs and sides folded over, and commencing with the rump end, the whole is rolled towards the shoulders, applying sufficient pressnre to compress but not wad the fleece. Two threads of twine, each four inches Nom the ends. of the roll, confine it and finish its preparation for market.
MARKING AND DOCKING.
Before the weather growfl very warm in spring, and before the lambs are old enough to render the operation very painful or dangerous, marking, castrating and docking should be attended to>. Castration is a very simple process, and if done when the lam~ are not more than a month old, a perfectly safe one. A little tar and grease, or simply common salt rubbed in the wound will prove advantageous.
Docking should never be omitted, since it improves the appearance of the sheep and prevents much trouble, both to the sheep

DEPARTMENT OF AGRIOULTURE-GEORGI.A..

[44]

and the shepherd when purging takes place. In performing this ()peration the skin of the tail should be pulled with the finger and thumb towards the body, and a smooth cut made with a chisel and mallet on a block prepared for the purpose.
The object in pulling the skin forward is, that after the cut is Iillade, it may return and cover the stump, and not only facilitate .healing, but prevent an unsightly appearance.

DATING THE BIRTH OF LAMHS.
Marking shou11 serve the double purpose of indicating the own-erEhip, and the year on which the lamb is dropped.
To indicate the latter, the following plan is suggested. It is not -<>ften profitable to suff'3r sheep to attain a greater age than ten years. Nine distinctive marks, therefore, to indicate the year of 'birth, is all that will be needed, since all should be scaled off for the ;butcher before or at the tenth year.
Take the present decade to illustrate the plan. Lambs born at 'the beginning of a decade, shall have only the mark of ownership. 'Those born the first year, or in 1871, shall have a round hole in the ,-right ear; those dropped in 1872, will have two round holes in the 'right ear; in 1873, an underbit in the right ear; in 1874, an over(bit in the right ear; in 1875, a swallowfork in the right; in 1876, a round hole in the left ear; in 1877, two holes in the left; in 1878, ,an underbit in the left; in 1879, an overbit in the left; in 1880, ,only the mark of own~rship again. It will be seen that the first five .years of the decade are indicated on the right ear, and the remainder on the left. The advantages of such a system will be readily ,understood by those who have kept sheep, and have been compell'ed to resort to the troublesome expedient of examining the teeth of -every sheep in a large flock to learn which had reached the age for scaling off. While the lamb is in hand receiving the mark of own,ership, the time and trouble required to date its birth, will be a ,mme trifle compared to the advantage of knowing ,by an inspection "of the ears, the age of each sheep in the flock.
.If this system were adopted by every herdsman in the State, be. "Bides preventing much loss by the death of the superannuated, pur-chasers of flocks could start with a full knowledge of the age of their sheep, and know which to scale off.

SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN GEORGIA.
TO DETERMINE THE AGE BY THE TEETH.
This cannot be better presented than by a partial quotation froIIb "Randall on Sheep Husbandry in the South i" a very valuablebook, which should be in the library of every farmer in Georgia. who keeps sheep. Occasion is here taken to acknowledge its supe-rior merit, and to heartily recommend it to Georgia farmers.
On the subject of teeth he says : "The sheep has 24 molar teeth, and eight incisors, the latterare confined to the lower jaw, being opposed by a finD, hard, elastic pad or cushion on the upper jaw. The incisors are gouge-shap-ed-i. e., concave within and convex without. The lamb is borIll without incisor teeth, or it has but two. In three or four weeks it, has eight small, short ones. "When not far from a year old-though sometimes not untW fourteen, fifteen, or sixteen months old -the two central incisorsare shed, and their places are supplied by two longer and broader" teeth. The sheep is then termed, in this country, a yearling or yearling past. "Two of the 'lamb teeth' continue to be shed annually, and theilplaces supplied with the permanent ones, until the sheep becomes'full-mouthed' at five years old. "At six years old the incisors begin to diminish in breadth. At: seven they have lost their fan-like shape, becoming equilateral, longand narrow. At eight, they are still more narrow i and thi~ year orthe next, reversing the flaring or divergent position, they begin topoint in toward the two central ones. Their narrowness and inward direction increase for a year or two more, when they begin to dropout. " They should be prepared for the butcher before they lose theirteeth-eay from the eighth to the tenth year of their age, according to the value and vigor of the animal. This is for merinos and theircrosses. The long-wools lose their teeth earlier.
WEANING LAMBS.
At shearing season, the lambs being now four or five months old,_ should be separated from tIle ewes, and placed in company with a. few barren or "tnrned off" ewes, to guide and gentle them, iIi afield sufficiently distant fr)m their mothers to prevent them from. hearing each other bleat.
The lambs should have fresh and tender pasturage for the first;

22

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-GEORGIA..

few weeks, and the ewes dry and short food, to reduce the flow of. milk. As soon as assured of the safety of their bags from" garget, " the ewes should be 'placed on good pastures, to pr~pare them for winter. They should not be too fat, however, when admitted to the buck, as a fat ewe is less certain to conceive than one in moderate condition.
Bells should be placed on. a few of the strongest and boldest of each flock, to give warning of danger. They serve, also, to help the herpsman to find bis band if in woods or in foggy weather, and some claim that they serve to frighten off dogs and wolves.
The diseases to which sheep in Georgia are subject, and their remedies, are so well presented in the extracts from the replies of Mr. Peters, that it is not deemed necessary to make further comment upon them.
BUTCHERING.
The impression is very prevalent, even among experienced sheep raisers, that the peculiar" sheepy " odor and taste sometimes found in mutton, is due to the contact of the wool with the meat. This is a mistake which has occasioned much prejudice against mutton as food.
The true cau~e of this taste and odor is to be found in delay z'n disembowding the carcass.
The intestines should be removed at the earliest possible moment
after life is extinct, and bifore the removal qf the pelt if necessary.
The same resnlt may be accomplished by pouring a bucket of cold water into the cavity, as soon as opened and before the bowels are removed.
If the intestines are allowed to remain until the pelt is removed without using the cold water, the gases emitted from them are disseminated through the flesh and produce the objectionable taste and odor. If proper attention is paid to butchering well fatted muttons, there will be nothing, 'either in the odor or taste, to offend the most fastidious.
Properly served lamb or mutton furnishes at once a most wholesome, delicate, delicious aud nutritious food, which should largely supplant the gross llOg meat usually consumed in Georgia.

7]

SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN GEORGIA.

23

CONOLUDING REMARKS.
The remarkable fact developed in the foregoing circnlar is the 'andsome profit derived from sheep husbandry in the face of the ost adverse circumstances. It is a notorious fact tha~ very few of ose who keep sheep in Georgia, pay more attention to them than
to mark and shear them, except in the more northern portion of the
State, where they are fed a little in se.vere weather in winter. In view, too, of the fact, that so large a per cent. of the number in the State is annually destroyed by dogs, the profits nnder the" let alone" system, so generally adopted, are unparalleled. W"hat other investment will declal'e such dividends under similar circumstances?
NATURAL PASTURES.
There are about 10,000,000 acres of practically unoccupied lands in Georgia, nearly all of which might be profitably utilized as sheep walks. A vast region in Southeastern and Southern Georgia, extending from the Savannah to the Chattahoochee, is a natural pasture, on which a million of sheep could be raised, with trifling expense, on the native wiregrass and other herbage which grow up luxuriantly, affording excellent pasturage in summer, and a subsist.enc6 on the undermath (which remains green) and winter growing weeds in winter. The most valuable spontaneous grass, however, is the Bermuda, which is peculiarly adapted to the purposes of eheep pasturage, forming an impenetrable sod of exceedingly nutri tiuus grass, equal on good land to the best blue.grass pastures of Kentucky, from early spring nntil frost. It will also supply winter pasturage where partially protected by pine trees, under which it J1emains green through the entire winter, and is relished by all kinds ()f stock.
A sod of Bermuda on lands unprofitable for oultivation, will support five sheep to the aore for nine months in the year.
There are other natural grasses which afford good pasturage during the snmmer months. So much for spontaneous pasturage which will keep the sheep in thriving condition for nine months, and will, in the southern portion of the State, subsist them for the other three.
Admitting, that to preserve a nniform condition of health and thrift during the other three months of the year some

24

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-GEORGIA.

J

ARTIFICIAL PASTURAGE

\

Will be necessary, it can be readily and cheaply supplied.

I

From the summer pasturage they are turned upon the pea-field~

from which the corn has been ~athered, care being taken to accusto~

them gradually to the consumption of the pea, to prevE:llt injury bJ

overfeeding.

On these they will grow fat, and be either ready for the butcher,.

or for entrance into winter.

From the pea field they go to the cotton field, which was sown ill'

rye or oats in August or September,and is green and succulent through

the winter. These, with the aid of the ruta baga turnip crop, which,

was also sown in July and Au~ust, will furnish abundant ~reen food

until the return of early sprin~ vegetation. If it is desired to reap-

a harvest from the grain fields, the turnips can be reserved for early

spring feeding, as grain from which a crop is expected should not

be gr'azed later than the first to last of February according to latitude..

By employing movable fence panels-several kinds of which arfr

in successful use, the flock can be herded on just sufficient area of

turnips to last them twenty-four hours, and thil:; continued until thfr

whole crop is consumed. While consuming the turnips they will

heavily fertilize the soil.

Our climate has this great advantage over those with more severe

winters.

In Middle and Southern Georgia, small grain furnishes green

pasturage all winter, and a remunerating crop the next summer.

Turnips need no protection in the southern half of Geor~ia, and

can be utilized with no more labor than is required to change the

movable fence as often as necessary to give fresh pasturage or, if

preferred, can be banked like sweet potatoes, throu~h the winter and

fed in spring after bein~ reduced by a pulpin~ machine.

Another advantage, both in economy and in the health of thfr

sheep, which we have over more northern climates, is derived from

the fact that, in the lar~er portion of Geor~ia, sheep do not need

shelter in winter. This enables the husbandman to avoid, not only

the expense of building shelters, but of haulin~ the manure from

the shelters to the field, since, under the system suggested, they de-

posit all the winter droppings, either on the grain or turnip fields,.

where it is needed.

[49]

SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN GEORGIA

25-

.If the farmer wishes dry food for winter use, the pea vine, oatst German millet, or other hay, sorghum or sugar cane fodder may bemade to fnrnieh an abllndancf> ()f very nutritious and cheap forage~
No country in the world affords as cheap or better grain food for sheep than Georgia. Ootton seed, a surplns product from the cotton crop, which can be purchased at fifteen cents per bushel, has. proved an excellent winter food for sheep.
If the Bermuda grass and wire grass were properly' utilized for summer pa~turage, and small grain pastures and turnips for winter, Georgia could sustain 4,000,000 sheep, and largely increase her agricultural products by converting much wasting vegetable matter' into a superior fertilizer.
PROTECTION NEEDED.
The annoyance at present attending sheep-raising in Georgia, to say nothing of the losses, deters many from engaging in it even under the stimulus of the large profits realized. The herdsman is compelled to protect his flocks with gun or poison against the ravages of dogs. He thus often incurs the ill-will of neighbors, which may manifest itself in resentment or retaliation; or perhaps the dcl9th of a worthless cur may kindle the torch of the incendiary," or speed the bnllet of the assassin. Tennessee has imposed a tax upon dogs as a means of protection to sheep husbandry. Some additional legislation for its protection is needed in Georgia. To secure this, the presentation of fact!', and the expressed wish of the people, will probably meet a prompt response at the hands of an intelligent and patriotic General Assembly.
U nti! the necessary protection can be secured, a resort must be had, either to inclosed pastures adjacent to dwellings, or to the employment of shepherds and shepherd dogs, where the flocks are sufficiently large to justify the expense.
The latter expedient will enable the farmer to utilize much valuable pasturage, otherwise inaccessible, by herding his sheep on uncultivated tracts in cultivated fields.
The shepherd, furnished with an axe or briar hook, can employ his time, while the sheep are slnding during the greater part of the day, in cleaning off brush and briars, and thus improving and in-creasing the pasture ground. Grass also, on commons, where it would notbe safe to risk theflock alone, can thus be converted into mutton and wool.

26

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-GEORGIA.

[50J

INFLUENCE ON LABOR.

Labor is the vexed question which stands in the way of the solu-

tion of every other problem in Southern agdculture. At present,

:all the marketable products of the Southern farm are made by the

-employment of expensive human muscle.

.

Under existing circumstances, neither brains nor capital, nor both ,combined, can sufficiently control labor to render it either reliable. ,or profitable. The large introduction of sheep as laborers or man-

ufacturers of wool and manure, will, to a great extent, dimiuish the

demand for human labor, proportionately reduce its cost, and in-

,crease its efficiency by bringing it under better control.

It will thus be seen that, as sheep husbandr.y is increased in Georgia, the difficulties of the labor question will diminish.
Another difficulty of Southern agriculture is the fact that the pro-

-ducts from a very large portion of the land in cultivation, do not pay the cost of cultivation.

All such lands can be made profitable as sheep walks, and grad-

ually improved by the droppings of the flock, and kept clear of nox-

ious weeds and shrubbery, thus saving much labor when it is desir-

oed to bring them again into cultivation.

An agricultural communit.y is usually stable, conservative, and

:averse to changes of policy or practice.

Farmers adapt themselves slowly to changes of circumstances, ad-

here tenaciously to habitudes of thought, yield with reluctance their

;allegiance to traditionary practice before the advancing wheel of

progress, and demand the practioal demonstration of the correct-

ness of each theory, before it is accepted.

-

No theories untried by the touch-stone of practical experience ;are presented in this circular.

The facts given are derived from the experience and o,bservations

-of practical men, who are surrounded by the same circumstallces

and difficulties as those who are here advised to "go and do like-

wise." The facts that have been presented remove all doubt as to

the profit of sheep husbandry in Georgia, and present a remarka.

'ble contrast between cotton and wool-growing in the State--the Qne selling at less than the cost of production, the other at 27t cents profit per pound.
All farmers in Georgia are, therefore, urged to embark to the ,extent of their pasturage facilities in raising sheep for wool.

{51]

SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN GEORGIA.

27

There are many millions of pounds of wool annually imported into the United States. There need be no fear, therefore, {)f the supply exceeding the demand, since the consumption of mutton and wool must increase with the increase of popula1;ion.
Sheep husbandry in Georgia offers a wide field of usefulness, in.
dependence and profit to young men. n is to them that Georgia
,must look for the development of her resources. They are not trammeled by habits of thought and routine of practice. Let them survey well the field of enterprise before casting their lots in 'positions of dependence upon unreliable, uncontrollable labor.
It is to them that Geor~ia mUl:1t look to build up her waste places, a.nd restore, with their flocks, the lands which their fathers have ~xhal1sted with cotton.

NEW EDITION DEMANDED.
The revival in the interest in sheep husbandry and the resulting correspondence from parties, both in Georgh and from other States. rtmder it necessary to issue a new edition of the Manual of sheep husbandry, in order that the inquiries received at this office may be promptly and fully answered, by mailing the printed matter containing the desired information. The following pages are added to the original Manual, rublished in 1875, to supply more fully the information sought by those contemplating sheep-culture in Georgia, whether citizens of this or of other States.

DESORIPTION OF BREEDS.
The Merino must, for the next half century, be the principal factor in the improvement of our common sheep, since wool growing will be the leaCling object of sheep husbandry in the South, until our population becomes sufficiently dense and our cities grow large enough to create a demand for mntton. The illustration of the American Merino, in the frontispiece, gives a fair representation of first class stock of that valuable breed which is rapidly superseding all other varities of the Merino family.
They are heavier in body, produce longer wool, and have the ll.ee<.le better distributed over the body than the old Spanish Merino.
These crossed on the common sheep, produce a decided and rapid improvement in every desirable quality, and every owner of as many as fifty common ewes, will find it to his interest to pur-chase an American Merino buck and a few thoroughbred ewes. The Merino is a vary hardy sheep, and will thrive on pastures on which the large, long wool mutton sheep will starve.
They are better ada?ted to the South than any other of the thoroughbred varieties, are large wool producers, and when fat, make delicious, marrowy mutton.
They are very serviceable in destroying bushes, briars and noxious weeds from pastures, and while producing more wool than the large breecs, five tilDes as many of them as of the large breeds -can be kept on a given area.
Another advantage of the Merino for our culture is that they herd well.

30

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-GEORGIA.

[54}

THE OOTSWOLD

Is a superior mutton sheep

with long, coarse wool which com-

mands a good price, but they re-

quire a full bite of grass and are-

much more subject to disease than

hhe Merino. They are better

adapted to cool climates, where-

pasturage is abundant and where

COTSWOLD BUCK.

they are kept in comparatively

small flocks. Indeed they do not thrive in large flocks as the Meri-

nos do. Those who desire to keep a few fine sheep in North Geor-

gia, under circumstances under which especial care and attention.

can be bestowed upon them, will find the Ootswold a valuable

breed whether bred pure or used to graile up the common sheep

of the country.

Where large herds are to be kept, and but little attention given..

them, smaller herds will pay better.

SOUTHDOWNS.

This is more celebrated as a mut-

ton sheep than any other variety, is

very distinctive in its type, com.

pact and symmetrical in form, me-

dium in size of body and length

and yield of wool.

It is remarkable more for the-

! qua.lity than the quantity of the-

SOUTHDOWN BUCK.

mutton, is hardy compared with

the larger breeds and moderately prolific.

Like the Ootswold, the Southdown is strictly a farm sheep

adapted only to enclosed pastures where a liberal bite of grass can

be had and where proper care and attention will be bestowed.

The distinctive features of the Southdown are its symmetrical,

compact form, the superior fine texture and juiciness of its mutton,_

its smooth, close coat of wool and its black face and legs.

For the gentleman who wishes to produce a superior mutton for

his own table and who has a taste for stock that are an ornament to

his fields, the Southdown is recommended. It is not intended to.-

L50]

SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN GEORGIA.

31

convey the impression that the Sonthdown may not be grown profitably in Georgia, for beyond all quei-tion it can; but compared with the Merino and its grades, the preference is given to the Merino where profit is the principal object in keeping sheep.
Neither should those who must grow sheep upon enclosed farms be discouraged from breeding them. Millions of the best sheep in the world are grown on enclosed pastul'es in England, France and America. The difficulty about such culture in Georgia rests in the fact that the impression prevails that sheep should take care of themselves, without taxing either the time or attention of their owners. Until this impression is discarded, there can be no successful sheep husbandry in Georgia outside of the range regious.
With one tithe of the care and attention now bestowed npon cotton culture, and without the expense and worry attending the latter, sheep husbandry may be made to quadruple the net profits of cotton culture on any given area of dry and reasonably fertile land in Georgia.
TH. SHROPSHIRE SHEEP

A large, black faced breed, between the Cotswold and Soutdhown. in size of carcass and length of fleece and

THE IMPROVED KENTUCKY,

A result of successive crosses of the Merino, Leieester, Southdown Cotswold and Oxforddown breeds on selected native ewes, subsequently breeding the mixed ewes, thus obtained,to a mixed Cotswold, Oxford, Leicester and Southdown ram, have acquired local ane. temporary popularity but have not met with general favor.

THE NATIVE OR COMMON SHEEP.

These constitute the great rna

jorityof the flocks of Georgia.

Their principal merit consists

in their hardiness and their

ability to travel daily over a

large area in search of food.

If sheep are to be turned

out on the range to take care

of themselves with no atten-

tion from their owner further

NATIVE EWE.

than to gather them np once

a year for the purpose of shearing the old ones and marking the

,32

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-GEORGIA.

[56]

lambs, the natives are probably the best sheep for such treatment, but such management is not sheep husbandry at all, and discourages many from embarking in the business, or results in disappointment if not failure to the herdsman. The native ewes furnish an admirable basis of improvement by the use of Merino bucks, and the improvercent is rapid and marked. This improvement is especially -conspicuous in the improvement both in the quantity and quality of the wool.

PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING.

Very little attention has been paid to the recognized principles

of breeding so far as sheep husbandry in concerned. Indeed, with

few exceptions, sheep husbandry has never been pursued in Georgia

as a business, on business principles, but has generally occupied a

subordinate place in our husbandry.

The time has now come when it may be pursued in a systematic

manner as the leading interest on thousands of farms in Georgia,

with positive assurance The first question to

of satisfactory be cOl1sidered

pbryofointse.

proposing to

engage

in breeding sheep, or other stock, is that of abundant supplies of

,provender ecol1on:ically procured.

This question can be readily met in every section of Georgia.

Indeed, with judicious management our advantages of soil, climate

and variety of production are such that in more than half of the

,state, eheep may procure abundant supplies from green pastures,

throughout the year-not as has been claimed without care or labor

on the part of the flockmaster-but with Bermuda pastures for

,spring and summer, the gleanings of pea fields in the fall, and

small grain pastures sown for them in early fall for winter pastur-

,age, sheep may be kept healthy and thrifty-yes fat, thwughout

the year without being fed grain of any kind, except a few oats to

the bucks during service and perhaps a small amount to ewes at

lam~ing.

There are thousands of acres of land in Middle Georgia already

well set in Bermnda grass which will support five sheep per acre,

from March to November now, and will annually increase in feed.

ing capacity if sheep are placed upon them. If vetch, spotted

medick, and ann ual spear grass, are sown upon the Bermuda sod, they

will afford good pasturage on the same land during the remaining

[57]

SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN GEORGIA.

33

months of the year for the general flock, reserving the small grain winter pastures f0r the breeding ewes and the lambs.
The flock master on such lands should keep either all pure Ameri. can Merinos or a small flock of them, as a source of supply of Merino bucks with which to grade up the common sheep.
On such pastures the sheep should, and would under judicious management, yield an annual profit of $2.00 per head in wool, mutton and increase in lambs. The lands in Southern Georgia, from which the timber is being cut for lumber, can, without much labor, be planted in Bermuda gratls and converted into most profitable sheepwalkB.
There is no grass superior to the Bermuda as pasturage for sheep, where the climate and elevation admit of its successful cultivation.
From upper Middle Georgia, to the northern limits of the State, the cultivated grasses are successfully grown and afford excellent pasturage throughout the year, but should not be closely depastured during the summer months. During this period Bermuda and the native summer grasses should be employed and the cultivated grasses allowed to grow for fall and winter use.
In the remainder of Middle Georgia, and in the southern half of the State, Bermuda and natural grasses will afford pasturage from early spring until November, when the small grain pastures and the gleanings of the cultivated fields will keep them until spring again.
In no part of the State can the natural pasturage be relied upon to keep sheep in a th~iving condition throughout the year, though the native flocks do 8ubsist through the year on the range in the southern part of the State and prove exceedingly profitable to their owners.
The fact that they do prove profitable in that part of the State without attention, furnishes good evidence that under a more rational and judicious system under which the ewes and lambs, at least, would have access to small grain pastures during the winter months, the profits would be very largely increased. Early spring lambs are shipped annually from Tennessee and Kentucky to New York and Boston at enormous profits. Georgia might anticipate these sources of supply at least one month, by having the lambs dropped in November and grown upon succulent pastures of small grain sown for the purpose.

34

DEPAR:rMENT OF AGRIOULTURE-GEORGI.A.

[58]

If butchered beef can be profitably shipped from Ohicago to Georgia markets in refrigerator cars, why may not our early lambs be shipped to Ohicago in the returning cars ?To grow lambs for this purpose, Ootswold bucks crossed on the native ewes would probably give the best results, since this first cross produces a lamb very little if at all inferior for mutton to the thoroughbred.
THE DIFFICULTIES
In the way of sheep-hnsbandry in Georgia are: 1st. The risk of depredations by dogs. This is a serions though not an insurmountable obstacle. Sheephusbandry is made profitable in other States where there'is no protection from dogs, and may be in Georgia if proper attention is bestowed upon the sheep. Indeed, many planters, who grow sheep, report them the most profitable property on their plantations. The industry must assume such proportions as to command respectand votes before laws protecting it can be expected at the hands of political representatives. 2d. The people of Georgia have given so little attention to sheep husbandry in the past, that they are not familiar with the management of flocks, and hence are slow to abandon industries with which they are familiar, to embark in one about which they know but little, even though the prospect for profit may be better, and the expenses less than cultivating crops. For those who have experience in the management of flocks sheep husbandry in Georgia presents a most inviting field. Oomplaints of the Ulueliableness of labor are annually increasing, and many are sowing larger areas in oats every year as a possible solution to the labor question. If sheep husbandry is added to the cultivation of increased areas in grain, the least valuable:parts of the plantations set in Bermuda grass, the stock of cattle!increased and improved by the introduction of Jersey bulls, more:attention given to the dairy, pigs enough kept to consume the buttermilk and llrops planted on which to fatten the pork in the fall without the consumption of corn, except to harden the meat just before killing the pork, the expenses of the farm will be reduced and the net income largely increased. The services of a single man will an~wer for the care of a thousand sheep, except at shearingJ~~le the annual net income

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SHEEP HUSBANDRY Ilif GEORGIA.

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from the flock would exceed that from an area equal to that, on which the sheep pasture, cultivated in cotton.
The natural increase in a properly managed flock of a thousand ewes would of itself be uo insignificant income and yet it involves no annual outlay of capital and no worry with unreliable laborers.
Under the foot of the sheep the land improves, while under clean culture a constant waste of fertility takes place.
There are few farms in Georgia on which sheep may not be profitably kept.
Those not acquainted with the nature, habits, and requirements of sheep, should commence with a small number and gradually increase the flock with their growth of skill and experience in its manage_ ment.
Disastrous mistakes have been made by novices who undertook to handle large flocks without the requisite training or the necessary facilities for handling them.
Such blunders, resulting in disastrolls failure, have deterred many, who might have made successful flock masters, from embarking in the business.
While sheep husbandry in Georgia presents a most inviting field for enterprise, it does not promise success either to the ignorant or the idle, but, like every other enterprise, requires industry, energy, sound judgment, a practiced, quick eye and other good business qualifications.
One possessed of these qualifications can find in Georgia all that is necessary to success in cheap lands, a healthy climate, ready formed pastures, and a reasonably good market for the products of his flock.

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