THE WISCON



          Wosleada    at tXe WuIL
  This branch .f stoek growing is receiving
largely increased attention throughout our
Western States; partly caused by the war and
increased demand for wool, consequent and
partly owing to the partial failure and low
price of wheat, and to the fact that pork sells
low compared with former years. In this in-
crease of sheep, no hindering cause has been
found and no new enemy developed. The
present year has bees a remarkably wet one,
and yet sheep in larger numbers than ever
before have pastured the prairie in perfect
healt"
  Many farmers almost unacquainted with
sheep and wool growing have invested in
floccks the past summer. The coming winter
may prove a dear "experience school" to
them, and cause them to wish their money
back again.
  In sheep growing there are three distinct
sources of profit sought, viz: increase of num-
ber by natural propagation, growth or increase
in size and weight, and annual product of
wool. The fattening of sheep for mutton ex-
clusively constitutes a branch of business by
itself.
  The three objects above noted are the chief
aim of Western sheep growers. The ewe used
in breeding should possess as nearly as possi-
ble the points of excellence desired in the eff-
spring. They should at least be one year old,
of good strong constitution, have air, exercise
and healthy diet. The lamb will thrive finely
if the dam be strong, healthy, and a good
breeder. Prairie storms are exceedingly se-
vere on lambs, and they require good shelter,
dry under foot. Those farmers who have dis-
carded swine for sheep should bear in mind
that a hog-reeve and shepherd are quite sep-
arate occupations. The hog, though native of
a warm climate, will thrive, if well fed, with-
out shelter; the sheep will suffer far more,
and its increase frequently perish. The ewe,
healthy, weU fed and sheltered, will generally
realize the fond hopes of the shepherd for in-
crease. Growth afterward is natural, easy
and rapid. Good health is necessary, which
requires dry pastures, and proper food-sub-
jects for study not easily exhausted.
  The annual product of wool depends much
upon the health of the sheep, both for strength
and beauty of fibre, and also weight of fleece.
  The three sources of increase above named,
closely looked after, and there will be small
chance of failure in making sheep or wool
growing a remunerative branch of Western
husbandry. We have the summer range with-
out limit and winter forage superior and more
abundant than any other portion of the earth
visited by us.  Let it no longer be said the
prairies are unsuited to the production of
sheen and wool.-Stock Journal.



SIN FARMER.                             369

           Rauly Trining d Ron"
  During -my long career among the Arab
tribes I have seen and watched the breeding
of mere than ten thousand colts, and I am
certain that all those whose education did net
commence very early, and was not directed,
moreover,on good principles, turned out faulty,
vicious, and, in general, good for nothing. So
much am I persuaded of the necessity of early
instruction, that invariably, in my travels,
when I was under the necessity of buying
horses, I refused those which had not been
mounted at the age of eighteen months.
  '- How has thy horse been bred?" was al-
ways my first question.
  "1My lord," replied the city Arab, "this
gray jewel of the river has been reared like
one of my own children; has always been
well fed, well nursed and well taught. r only
mounted him when full four years. See how
sleek his skin, and how glossy his mane I "
  ",My friend, keep thy horse. HIe is clearly
thy own and thy family's pride; and shame
upon my white beard were I to deprive thee
of him."
  ",And thou, I then addressed a son of the
Desert, sunburnt from head to foot, " how hast
thou bred thy horse?' '
  "M ly lord," he answered, "' from his earliest
youth I have accustomed his back to the sad-
dle and his mouth to the bridle. While still
young he carried me far, far into the Desert;
many days without drink, and many nights
without food.  His flanks look naked, it is
true; but, believe me, should you ever meet
false friends on the road, he will not leave
you in trouble.'
  "H Halloo I servants, tie the chestnut horse to
the tent, and entertain my Arab friend."-
The horse of the Sahara.

  CRIBBING IN Hons0Bs.-A correspondent of
the Agriculturist says:-I found myself cheat-
ed to the amount of $5o by the purchase of a
horse sold as " sound," but which proved to be
an inveterate cribber. Various remedies were
recommended and tried without success. Fi.
nally I found a preventive if not a cure. I
have arranged the stall so as to leave nothing
against which he can press his teeth. He is
fed from a low box which is pushed into the
stall from a passage-way, and the box is with-
drawn when not in use.  (It is said that a
horse cannot crib with his head down.) The
opening for air and light is placed too high
for him to reach it.

  STRETCNES IN SnEEr.-In conversation with
an intelligent sheep breeder, recently, he in-
formed us that he cured the "stretches" by
administering an injection composed of tepid
water and castile soap.  In one instance he
used nearly half a pailful before the desired
results were obtained.-N. H. Jour. Ag.



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