The American shepherd: being a history of the sheep, with their breeds, management, and diseases

Front matter

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Introduction

The zoological character of the sheep — domesticated at a very early period of the world — Abel the first recorded shepherd — the flesh of the sheep not used for food before the flood — ^vegetables the only means of sustenance permitted by the Divine law — after the flood this command was abrogated — vegetable food only eaten by some of the pagan sects of the East at the present day — the milk of the sheep used as an article of sustenance — converted into cheese and butter — Homer's description of milking the ewes — Mr. Burckhardt's description also — custom of the ancients of removing their flocks from one locality to another — Jabal lived 500 years before the flood, and was the first Nomadic shepherd — Arabian and Tartarian shepherds at the present day conform to that primitive custom — D'Arviex description of the same — Parson's description of the peregrinations of the Arabs — flocks in ancient Palestine very numerous — number which Job possessed, &c. — these numerous flocks accounted for — the ewes supposed to have lambed twice in the yeeir — flocks very numerous at the present day in Palestine — Dr. Shaw's statement of this — first recorded improvement was in the color of the fleece — originally tawny or dingy-black — tendency of the sheep in modern times to return to the original hue — instance the South Down, Norfolk, Black-faced sheep of Scotland, and Asiatic and African breeds — Jacob the original improver of the color — his scheme for accomplishing it — in process of time the fleece became wholly white — the Scriptures silent as to the form of the ancient sheep, except that the ram was horned — the fat-rumped breed abounding so numerously at the East induced Mr. Youatt to suppose these to be the primitive breed instead of the Argali — his remarks and those of Mr. Price on the subject — the question will always remain unsettled — the horned ram more particularly mentioned — the polled sheep an accidental variety — reasons for cultivating them — humanity a prominent characteristic of the primitive shepherds — Arab shepherds the same — Buckingham's remarks — quotation from Dyer's Fleece — music of the ancient shepherds a means to control their flocks — remarks — Goldsmith's description of the Alpine shepherds — evidence from the Bible that the primitive shepherds washed their flocks before they were shorn — Solomon's comparison of the teeth of his mistress to a flock just come up from the washing — in early times the fleece was detached from the pelt by pulling — humanity dictated another course, and accordingly the shears, in process of time, v/ere invented and extensively used — the shearing time an occasion for feasting and rejoicing — quotations in corroboration of this — remarks of Burder on the subject — the system of cotting practised by t!;e Tsrueliles — ren\;iiks of

CONTENTS.

a writer on this point — custom also in Greece and Tarentum — art of weaving' understood in the primitive ages — Scripture testimony — dyeing also — quotation from Virgil — the Egyptians the probable inventors of the weaving of flax — discussion of the subject by a writer — description of the rude mode of weaving of the Arabs — conclusion ... 23

Chapter I. Properties Of Wool

Introductory remarks — structure of the skin of the sheep — used for bookbinding, and for the inscription of valuable documents — anatomy of woolly fibre — the weight of testimony in favor of the theory that it is tubular in conformation — its vascularity — remarks of Dr. Good on the vascularity of the hair — its structure by small filaments ranged side by side — remarks of Bakewell — chemical composition of wool, horns, hoofs, &c. — yolk or gum — its chemical properties — its value — promotes the growth of the wool — mats it as a defence against cold and wet — abounds much in the Merino fleece — temperature and condition of the sheep influence its production — not found so much in the Saxon breed — considerable quantity in some of the English sheep — its substitute in Scotland by smearing the sheep in autumn — additional value imparted to cloth by yolk — description of the form of the fibre of wool by Youatt — its semi-transparency, &c. — the wool of half-starved sheep brenchy, &c. — importance of good condition to counteract it — elasticity of the fibre — pliability also — dependent on the spiral curves — causes the beautiful pile or nap of cloths — spiral curve — conspicuous in the Saxon and Merino varieties — not so much in the Leicester and other breeds — the number of spiral curves in a given space in proportion to the fineness of the fibre — German experiment to determine this point — this principle should govern much in breeding — softness — importance of this quality in wool — much dependent on the proper supply of yolk — experiment in cloth manufacture from harsh and soft wool of the same fineness — superiority of that from the latter — fineness a comparative term when applied to wool — varies much in different individuals of the same breed — difierence in the diameter of the fibre between its extremes — diameter of the fibre — the Merino has four qualities in its fleece — grade sheep many more — cut representing where the different qualities of wool grow on the Merino — length of tlie staple — preference given by the manufacturer to a long staple — less dead end than short — long staple fine wool needed for fine worsted fabrics — the question stated, whether a compact fleece with a long staple can be produced on the same sheep — compact fleeces necessary in a northern climate — color — first recorded improvement in sheep — manufacturers prefer fleeces entirely white — reasons — flock-masters should never breed from black or smutty sheep — trueness — constituted by equality of the fibre from root to point — inequalities caused by unequal feeding and exposure of sheep — common in some degree to every breed — Saxon and Merino ewes should be turned otl' when eight or nine years old — influence of temperature — inequalities of temperature cause an unequal growtli of the fibre — necessity of sheltering sheep during winter to counteract it — remarks of Mr. Hunter on the influ-

CONTENTS. XI

ence of climate on hair and wool — Mr. Youatt's remarks — M. Lasteyrie's statement — the cuhivation of the Merino and Saxon breeds in the Southern States alluded to — causes of the degeneracy of tlie Me^ riuos in South America — felting — this long remained a mystery — speculations in former times on the subject — the cause of felting of wool surmised by M. Monge — the true tlieory, but did not demonstrate it — the first successful effort to demonstrate Monge's thecry by Mr. Youatt — his description of the scene and results — the number of serrations within an inch of Merino wool — cuts representing microscopic views of Merino and South Down fibres — conclusion of the chapter with remarks by Mr. Youatt ......... 2.7

Chapter II. History Of Sheep

ARGALI, MUSMON, ASIATIC, AND AFRICAN SHEEP.

History of the Argali — its comparative size and horns — color and texture of its coat — inhabits the mountains and elevated plains of Asia — found in small flocks — rams fight furiously in the rutting season — killed in autumn for their flesh and skins — difficult to domesticate unless taken young. American Argali. — Supposed to be a variety of the Asiatic — remarks of Ahh6 Lambert — Washington Irving's description of the animal on the Rocky Mountains — called ahsata or big horn — is found nowhere else in America — dimensions of a male — remarks of Major Smith. The Mouflon or Musmon — considered as identical with the Argali by BufFon and Wilson — inhabits the mountains of Sardinia and Corsica — described by Wilson — from fifty to an hundred herd together — difficult to domesticate.

Asiatic Breeds. Fat-rumped breed — abounds where the primitive shepherds roamed — Dr. Anderson's description of the animal — often weigh 200 lbs. — fat on the rump weighs from 20 to 40 lbs. Fat-tailed breed — more numerous than the fat-rumped — is found extensively in Africa — Dr. Russel's account of the breed — tails often weigh 15 lbs. — whole live weight about 150 lbs. — supposed to be a variety only of the fat-rumped.

Persian Sheep. Fat-tailed predominate — Eraser's account of a Persian caravan — a variety of sheep in the province of Kerman produce very fine wool — much of it manufactured into shawls.

Tibet Shefp. Are very numerous — a small variety of the fat-rumped with black heads and necks — ^wool soft and long — converted into long shawls.

East India Sheep. Consist of the fat-rumped and fat-tailed varieties.

Chinese Sheep. Breeds differ much from each other — a breed with extraordinary long legs — a breed resembling some of the European varieties — antiquity of Chinese manufactures alluded to.

African Breeds. Egyptian, Ethiopian, and Abyssinian — both varieties of the fat-tailed found in Egy^t — fat-tailed and fat-rumped prevail in Ethiopia — also in Abyssinia — the many-horned sheep.

Madagascar Sheep. Dr. Anderson's description of the same.

Cape of Good Hope Sheep. Native sheep of the broad-tailed breed — every variety of color — experiment with the Merinos by the Dutch—

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its failure, and causes — renewed attempt by the Englisli — is successful — wool exported from the colony — number of its sheep.

Angola Sheep. Description of a very singular variety.

Guinea Sheep. Two varieties found on the slave coast — one resembling some of the European breeds — sheep very hairy, and men very woolly

Morocco Sheep. Breeds superior to other African — distinguished for excellence in the time of Columella — ewe of this breed owned by Chancellor Livingston — description of it 48

Chapter III. European Sheep

Italian Sheep. Were very superior in the time of the Romans — fleece cultivated with extraordinary care — reasons for the same — celebrity of the sheep of Apulia and Tarentum — generally supposed to be the progenitors of the famed Merinos — description of the management of the Tarentine sheep.

Spanish Sheep — Merinos, &c. Spain possessed of valuable breeds at an early period — superiority of the fleece of Boetica — of the Tarentine variety — introduced by Columella — also African rams to improve the Chunah breed — origin of the name of Merino — the Tarentine sheep amalgamated to some extent with the black sheep of Spain — evidence of this — portion of Spain conquered by the Moors — they established extensively woollen manufactures — Seville contained 16,000 looms — Moors expelled by the Spaniards — ^manufactures ceased — fruitless attempts of the Spanish to revive them — the excellence of the Merino continued through centuries of political strife — Chunah sheep — abounds throughout the kingdom — owned by the peasants — supposed to have been improved by the English Costswold breed — Spanish Merinos classed in two grand divisions — Estantes and Transhumantes — the latter composed of the Leonese and Sorians — their location in winter — places where summered — cause of their peregrinations — the Transhumantes fell into the hands of the king, courtiers, and clergy — tribunal of Consejo de la Mesta — its tyrannical laws — incidents of these journeys — under a Mayoral — numerous under-shepherds with dogs — day's travel length of the journey — injury to the crops by the sheep on the way — vigilance necessary on their arrival at their place of destination — construction of pens for folding at night — large quantities of salt given to the sheep — half the lambs destroj'ed after yeaning — Spanish notion on this point — exportation of the skins of the slaughtered lambs — few male lambs castrated — marking of the lambs — number of men employed as shepherds — a singular race of men — buildings for shearing, called esquilos — sweating and shearing — number shorn in a day — number of shearers employed — remarks of a writer concerning the management of the Tarentum sheep — corresponded with Spanish management — Arthur Young's account of the Catalonian and Pyrenean Merinos — his description of their fleeces, &c. — number of the estantes or stationary Merinos — ditto of the transhumantes or travelling — number of the Chunah breed — superiority of the transhumantps — Mr. Youatt's description of the niialities of the Merino — weight of fleeces. «Stc.

CONTENTS. XUl

HKTORY OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MERINOS INTO THE UNITED STATES.

First ram imported by M. Delessert from the Rambouillet flock — Seth Adams's importation — his account of the same — Hon. WiUiam Jarvis's importations — his account of the same — also Chancellor Livingston's — also Gen. Humphreys' — number of Merinos purchased by Mr. Jarvis — the kinds — what ports of the United States they were landed, and the nmnber at each port — his description of the qualities of the Paular variety of Merinos — the Nigrettis — the Aqueirres — the Escurials — the Montarcos — the Gaudaloupes — number of each he put on his farm in Weathersfield, Vermont — manner of breeding them— allusion to an importation of Rambouillet Merinos by a citizen of Connecticut — weight of American Merino fleeces — enterprising feeling for wool improvement — public attention directed to the Merinos — commended.

French Sheep. The breeds varied as the face of the comitry — remarks —the most valuable wooled sheep in the south part of the kingdom — sheep of Aries — number — migratory — summered on the Alps — sheep led by goats — singular sagacity of these animals — M. Daubenton's experiments with Merinos — his success induced the French government to import nearly 300 from Spain — were placed at Rambouillet, near Paris — not prosperous at first — the prices ewes and rams sold at from time to time — also their fleeces — experiments in crossing with native sheep — publication on their management by M. Gilbert — school established for the education of shepherds — slow increase of Merinos in France — reasons assigned — prices of Rambouillet Merinos in 1834 — Mr. Trimmer's description of the flock — extract from M. Gilbert's Report concerning them — importation from the flock by D. C. Collins — number imported — his motives for so doing — description of his sheep

' from the American Agriculturist.

Swiss Sheep. Consist of two kinds — valley and mountain — the former conform to the English long-wooled breeds — the mountain the most valuable — have been improved by the Merino cross . . . .59

Chapter IV

Baxon Sheep. Introduction of Merinos into Saxony in 1765 — the late Mr. H. D. Grove's account of the same — cause of the high prices of Saxon sheep — prices of rams — breeding in and in a cause of the fineness of their fleeces — remarks of Mr. Grove on German management — remarks of Mr. Carr — also Dr. Bright — sheep driven into the yards daily in winter — great care in selecting breeders — mode of examination — descri])tiou of the native breeds of Saxony — remarks on the Infantado Merinos of Germany — mode of washing them — description of the form of the Saxon Merino — average weight of their fleeces — great care in washing and shearing — wool carried to Leipsic for a market — • manner of packing wool — large amount exported to England and France — superiority of German woollen fabrics — history of the introduction of the Saxons into the United States by H. D. Grove — many miserable specimens of the breed imported — many American flocks which rival the best German in fineness — American Saxons more O

XIV CONTENTS.

hardy than the German Saxons — obstacles in the way of American breeders — will be cultivated with equal profit with Merinos — average weight of American Saxon fleeces.

Prussian Sheep. Exertions of M. Fink to improve the fleece of Prussia — his experiments with Merinos crowned with success — importation of Merinos by the government in 1786 — failure to do well— second attempt through M. Fink — resulted in success — agricultural schoo\ established to teach the best modes of managing Merinos — M. Fink's system in winter — Prussian fleeces now rival the best Saxon.

SiLESiAN Sheep. Native sheep better than those of Prussia and Hungary — the introduction of the Merinos eifected great improvement — Silesian wools now equal to Saxon.

Hungarian Sheep. Native sheep of Hungary very inferior — Merinos introduced by the Empress Maria Theresa — agricultural school established to instruct in their management — rapid progress of wool improvement in Hungary — fleeces compete successfully with Saxon — number of sheep in the Territory — flock of Prince Esterhazy.

Swedish Sheep. The first Merinos carried from Spain taken to Sweden in 1723 — introduced by Mr. Alstroemer — he triumphed over all difficulties — agricultural school established — premiums awarded for the best wool — mode of management in Sweden — the native sheep very inferior.

Danish Sheep. Native sheep conform to those of Sweden — Merinos imported in 1797 under government patronage — crossed with native breed — good effects — wool exported.

Iceland Sheep. The native breed very hardy — carry from two to six horns — wool worthless for manufacturing.

Russian Sheep. More attention to breeding of sheep than cattle — wandering tribes possess many — great variety of breeds — cloth manufacture — extensive flocks owned by the rich Tartars — Merinos introduced — ^great improvement followed — wool exported from Odessa — description of the character of Russian Merino wool.

Australian Sheep. Character of the climate and herbage of Australia — subject to severe drought — no sheep indigenous to the country — Bengal sheep introduced — their inferiority — South Downs and Leicesters exported from England — favorable cross with the Bengal sheep — Merinos taken there — afterwards the Saxons by Captain McArthur — descripUon of Australian wool — its microscopic scrutiny by Mr. Youatt — used much for the better combing purposes — quantity of wool exported in 1843 — mode of management of sheep in the colony — sheep subject to foot-rot — manner of washing — average weight of the Australian fleeces 81

Chapter V. British Breeds

South Down. Classification of the British breeds — middle-wooled breeds — superiority of the South Down — their location — Mr. John Ellman — description of the old South Down — means of Mr. Eliman to improve them — description of improved South Downs — a perfect South Down described — endure short keep — (heir mutton — adapted

CONTENTS. XV

for a low country — former weight of fleece — present weight of tho same — weight of quarters — serrations of the fibre — its diameter — wool harsh — changed character — South Downs healthy — prices of Mr. EUman's flock.

RvELAND Sheep. Origin of name — their locality — weight of quarters — fins fleeces — weight of the same — diameter of fibre — form of the Ryeland.

Dorset Sheep. Description of pure breed — fecundity of Dorset ewes — failure of cross with Leicester — successful with South Downs — their value near cities.

Blaok-faced Sheep. Their locality — origin in dispute — description of the old, and improved — quality of mutton — weight of quarters — their hardiness of constitution.

Cheviot Sheep. Remarks^locahty of Cheviot breed — description of pure breed — hardihood — when fit for the butcher — weight of quarters — qualities of wool — its adaptation — Sir John Sinclair's description of the ancient Cheviot — crossed with Leicester — result — extension of the breed — Highland snow-storms.

Shetland Island Sheep. Their situation — origin of the breed — weight of quarters — weight of fleece — quality of the wool — price formerly — remarks by Youatt.

Irish Sheep. Adaptation of Ireland for sheep — soil, climate, and herbage — character of native breeds — description of the same by Cully — successful cross with New Leicesters — weight and character of fleece — its uses . 102

Chapter VI. British Breeds

New Leicester or Bakewell. Origin of the long-wooled sheep in doubt — remarks — Old Leicester sheep — description of an improved Leicester — time when Bakewell commenced their improvement — means employed — his selections — extensive spread of improved Leicesters — propensity to fatten — early maturity — weight of quarters — quality of mutton — not a favorite with the butcher — faults of the New Leicester — quality and weight of the fleece — extensive cross with other breeds — cross with the Cheviot — Sir John Sinclair's opinion — introduction of the breed into America.

Teeswater Sheep. Origin of the name — description of the Old Teeswater — very prolific — instance by Mr. Cully — weight of the fleece — great success in crossing with the improved Leicester.

RoMNEY Marsh Sheep. Locality of Romney Marsh — characteristics of the old breed — weight of the fleece — the breed improved by cross with Leicesters.

Lincoln Sheep. Character of the pure Lincolns — were bred for the fleece — general remarks — contest between the Leicesters and Lincolns — cross with the Leicester — the result — weight of the quarters — weight of the fleece — character of the wool, and uses — diameter of the fibre.

Bampton Sheep. Where found and origin of name — description of the

XVI CONTENTS.

breed — weight ot quarters — weight of fleece of a ram— cross with Leicester — result.

CoTswoLD Sheep. Antiquity of the breed — origin of the name — dispute among writers of the ancient Cotswolds — characteristics of the Cotswold breed — cross with Leicester — result — weight of quarters — cross with Hampshire Downs — its success — quality of mutton.

Welsh Sheep. Primitive breeds — their character by Ellis — weight of the quarters — quality of the mutton — cross of the valley sheep with Leicester and Cotswold — result.

Merino Sheep in England. Introduced by George IIL — a second importation by that monarch — success which attended it — experiments in crossing with English breeds — that of Mr. Coke and its result — Sir Joseph Banks and Lord Somerville — prices of Merinos in England — Merino Society instituted — the result thereof — downfall of the Merinos — reasons by several therefor — remarks on the climate.

Table of Prices for Wools. Spanish Merino — Portuguese — German, Saxon, and Silesian — Austrian, Bohemian, and Hungarian — Australian — Van Dieman's Land — British wools 115

Chapter VII. Sheep Of The United States

Woolly Sheep of Rocky Mountains. Captain Bonneville's description of them — general character of the native sheep.

Otter Breed. Their origin — description of the breed.

Arlington Long-wooled Sheep. Cultivated by Mr. Custis — description of the breed by Chancellor Livingston.

Smith's Island Sheep. Their locality and characteristics — general remarks on the progress of wool improvement in the United States — character of the wool in several States — Prairie management by George Flower — remarks on the same — sheep culture in the Southern States 131

Chapter VIII. Summer Management Of Sheep

BuDDEN Change from Dry to Green Food improper. Reasons therefor — course recommended — separation of the weak from the strong — manner of doing it. Tagging of sheep — slovenly mode of performing it by many farmers — reasons for doing it well — when it should be done — mode of doing it with male and female — humanity recommended — where the tag wool should be placed — its manufacture. Cutting horns and hoofs — how it should be done — reasons for doing it. Drafting sheep for sale — should be turned to good keep. Par"^ turition or lambing — period of gestation — proper period for lambing — care of the ewes before the event — reasons for the same— smooth fields recommended — danger of ewes being cast — consequences — necessity for watchfulness — duties of the shepherd during parturition — means he should employ — ewes should not be interfered with too soon after their labors commence — influence of the weather — mode of assisting the ewe to lamb — fright of the ewe after mechanical aid

CONTENTS. XVn

is employed — means to induce her to suckle — lambs of fine-wooled sheep sensitive to cold and wet when they drop — storms should be anticipated — ewes should be got under cover — course when the lambs are brought to the fire to overcome numbness — means adopted with twins — death of the lamb causing sometimes garget — pasture of the ewes before and after parturition — number should herd together — affection of the ewe for her offipring — an instance related by the Ettrick Shepherd, James Hogg. Salting — no longer a mooted question — philosophy of salting — an instance in France — care to be observed in the spring — quantity necessary at a salting — salting in troughs not recommended — time of day when the writer salts his flocks — benefit of salting late in the fall — very essential in winter — salting of hay recommended.

Washing. Careless mode of doing it by many — the most suitable time depending on the weather — water and weather should always be comparatively warm — consequences of violating it — the day should be one of sunshine — flock-master should be present — should be done on temperance principles — running stream of pure water recommended — use of vats — process described — the " clean thing" should be aimed at and not missed — quotation from Samuel Lawrence on the subject — soap for buck fleeces — necessity for turning the sheep on a green Bward after washing — driving the sheep along a dusty road should be avoided — Spanish custom of washing — English and German also — ■ loss by scouring Spanish, German, Australian, and American Merino and Saxon wools — also South American — reform called for in American mode of washing wool.

Castration and Docking. Time when it should be done — cool weather recommended — reasons therefor — lambs should be brought from the field without bustle and confined in a small pound — mode of castration — docking the tail — should be cut short — reasons assigned — consequences of a long dock — ointment used — the ingredients and preparation — application of it — means to employ after the process is through wiih 159

Chapter IX. Summer Management Continued

Shearing. Harvest of the shepherd — remarks of censure on American shearing — fault lies more at the door of the flock-master than shearer — bad policy of hiring men to shear by the job — consequences — the practice should cease — number a good shearer can perform in a day — what constitutes a good shearer — instructions for a novice in shearing — whole process described — bad policy of fretting at a new beginner — kindness recommended — good effects of so doing — mode of taking off^ the fleece in England — recommended.

Interim between Washing and Shearing, &.c. Length of time should depend on the state of the weather — time stated — bad consequences of shearing in cold weather — eflfects of storms on sheep just shorn — their suffering very great if exposed — duty of the flock-master under such circumstances — horns and hoofs should be cut if not already done — indications of scab. 2*

Sorting, &c. Duly of the master — quality of the fleece better judged of than at any other time — good or bad points of form readily seen — retaining the best for breeders — bad consequences of neglecting to sort sheep at this time — classification of the flock — ewes and lambs only should run together — those selected for sale should be turned to good keep.

Marking, &c. Painting the initial letters of the owner's name on the sides of the sheep — the ludicrous style it is usually done — an iron formed to represent a triangle or diamond recommended — where the mark should be put — materials for marking.

Rolling the Fleeces. Fleeces should be carefully taken from the floor — indifferent locks put in a basket — the process of rolling and tying described — consequences of slovenly rolling.

Arrangement of Wool for Sale. The flock-master should keep before him the motto of shopmen — applicable to everything the farmer sells — rough and tumble style of arranging wool for sale — a good light important — a bad light aggravates the appearance of wool if indifferently washed — best mode of arranging wool described — good consequences — cheating practices of wool-growers exposed — reprobated — size of twine stated.

Shearing-kouse and Appendages. Inconveniences without them — the expense reimbursed in a few years — construction of pounds — wool loft should be well lighted — a north light preferable — trap door.

Baleing Wool. Burlap used for sacks — the proper width, and quantity required for each sack — truss hoop necessary — its adjustment — process of packing described — too much haste generally in packing wool.