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Show LEAVES' rom 1 A Bit About Sheep-Raising The first thing which any agriculturist agri-culturist asks himself when he contemplates con-templates any new enterprise is, "What may one expect, reasonably, as a return from such an enterprise?" enter-prise?" It may be said, therefore, that in a government bulletin which was revised in 1934, it is stated that "the gross annual returns from ewes of breeding age may be expected ex-pected to range from $4 to $10 a head, depending upon the percentage percent-age of lambs raised, the weights of the fleeces, and the values of these products. With ewes of any one of the medium-sized mutton breeds, 115 lambs per 100 ewes can be raised . . . The wool returns vary from 7 to 11 pounds per ewe, the larger mutton breeds yielding more, as do also the fine wools. It is, as a matter of fact impossible impos-sible to say that the average flock will yield any given profit, but the bulletin just quoted says, further, that in comparison with cattle and swine, sheep can be made to yield practically the same net returns on the value of the land, if well cared for and if kept on lands reasonably well adapted for sheep. BUILDINGS AND FENCES REQUIRED The main requirements in practically prac-tically any part of the United States, for success with sheep, are barns which are dry and free from drafts. If lambs are to be dropped after cold weather is past it will not be necessary to provide warmth. Naturally, protection must be given from winter rains and heavy snows, but the best results will be obtained if ewes are given access to dry beds in the open. Sheep, in an enclosed place, have a tendency to bunch, with the weaker ones going down and being trampled hence the advisability ad-visability of open quarters. As to fences, they should be of woven (not barbed) wire, or boards or rails. For a full discussion of barns, sheds, and dog-proof fences for sheep, secure (for five cents) Farmers Bulletin No. 810, "Equipment "Equip-ment for Sheep Raising." This may be had from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. THE LABOR REQUIRED IN RAISING SHEEP Although the amount of labor required re-quired in sheep-raising is small in proportion to that required with other livestock, the growing of sheep should not be engaged in with the idea that they can get along without attention, or with a mere minimum. The flock can never be neglected if it is to be kept in good and productive condition. Moreover, More-over, it must be expected that at lambing time constant care often, day-and-night care is required. It should be noted, however, that the raising of sheep is a department of livestock raising to which women seem particularly adapted. SELECTION OF STOCK AND SIZE OF FLOCK For the inexperienced sheep-raiser, it is the part of wisdom to begin with grade ewes and a pure-bred ram. The breed chosen will depend largely upon the pasture and feeds which are available and upon the system of farming to be followed. It is extremely advantageous that all or nearly all of the farms in a given neighborhood keep the same breed of sheep. Like many other farm enterprises, sheep-raising can be done effectively and profitably by means of co-operative associations. Concerning the size of the flock it must be said that the beginner will be wise to start with a small flock. The smallest number of ewes which can be handled profitably is about 30, and, in most cases, a flock of 60 can be handled more economically econom-ically than a smaller number. WHEN TO START THE FLOCK As s rule, ewes can be procured most readily in late summer or early fall, which makes that season of year most favorable for starting a flock. Moreover, when they are purchased at that time of year they can be fed economically for some time on meadows, stubble fields or late-sown forage crops. WINTER FEED FOR THE FLOCK Sheep should be supplied with leguminous feeds such as clover, alfalfa, al-falfa, or cowpea hay and feeds of that sort will not require to be supplemented sup-plemented until near lambing time. Succulent foods such as roots or silage are desirable for keeping the ewes in good health but in feeding silage care must be taken to prevent the feeding of moldy, spoiled or frozen silage. If further information is desired, send five cents to Superintendent of Documents. W ashington. D. C, asking for Fartvers' Bulletin No. 140. THE CACTUS DAHLIA The cactus dahlia is so called because be-cause "of its resemblance to the scarlet-flowered cactus, Cereus spe-ciosissimns. spe-ciosissimns. This beautiful dahlia appeared as a variant in 1879 and immediately aroused interest. THE ALLIGATOR The name, "alligator" is a corruption cor-ruption of the Spanish words, "el lagarto," meaning "the lizard." However, scientists say that the alligator alli-gator is really just as closely allied to the birds as it is to the lizards |