The American shepherd : being a history of the sheep, with their breeds, management, and diseases. Illustrated with portraits of different breeds, sheep barns, sheds, &c. With an appendix ...

Front matter

THE

AlEKICAI SHEPHERD

HISTORY OF THE SHEEP,

Preface

That a work embracing perhaps all the topics of the present treatise, has long been demanded by American Wool-growers, cannot be denied. The English, and other foreign works on the important subject of Sheep Husbandry, notwithstanding the ability with which they are written, are unadapted to our wants, chiefly because the breeds of sheep and modes of management are, in the main, so essentially different in our own country and Great Britain. Something American, therefore, is needed — a work which would tend to correct the many errors and abuses of management, and enter into such minute details connected therewith, as would teach the merest novice his duties.

With many others, I have long been waiting with the hope that some one having the necessary practical knoivledge, and in other respects eminently qualified, would undertake the difficult task of supplying us with such a treatise ; but no one having come forward, after due consultation with some friends, on whose judgment I could safely rely, I determined to attempt what, under other circumstances, I could not have summoned the resolution, and I may add, temerity, to do. It is, therefore, with no ordinary degree of apprehension that I appear before the public in the character of an author, and the more especially of a work of this kind, having been obliged, in a measure, to carve out my own way, and act the " lone pioneer."

It was my original intention to have limited the historical part to the prominent and most profitable breeds, but so little is generally known of those peculiar to Asia and Africa, as well as remote portions of Europe, it appeared n PREFACE.

to me that a brief notice of these would be acceptable ; and, in addition, I have introduced all that the Scriptures afford us concerning the sheep, thereby bringing forward everything of consequence to know from the most remote antiquity to the present period. I have availed myself, principally, of Mi'. Youatt's standard and able work to aid me in this department; and also to him and Mr. Blacklock, both distinguished Veterinary Surgeons, for much of what is offered on the Diseases of Sheep ; and to Mr. Spooner, the author of a recent English work, and likewise a Veterinary Surgeon, for the interesting chapter on the Structure, or Anatomy of the sheep. All this necessity compelled me to do, owing to the paucity of works in American libraries relative to the history of the species, and the very little progress as yet made among us in scientific classification and treatment of diseases. Mr. Youatt is probably the first veterinary surgeon of the age, and is at present the editor of a London periodical devoted to that science; therefore, that part of this work concerning Diseases is, undoubtedly, entitled to much confidence ; in addition, my own observations and experience, together with all that I could gather from others, have been added.

It is many years that I have been a practical manager of sheep, a vocation to which I am enthusiastically attached. I acknowledge an affection for the sheep, paramount to that for any other domestic animal, and have studied its instincts and habits at all seasons, and under all circumstances ; and now and always have shared with my laborers in every department connected with management. What, therefore, is offered on this subject, is the result almost solely of what my own eyes have seen, and hands handled — indeed, is nearly a transcript of my system of practice. Being aware, however, of the tenacity with which farmers cling to their particular modes of management, right or wrong, I entered into an extensive correspondence with distinguished wool-growers, to aid me in perfecting this department of the work, with a view to confirm positions which are set forth, and strike a more effectual blow at errors. To my brother wool-growers, as well as all others, who have so kindly aided rae in my

PREFACE. Vll

undertaking, I acknowledge myself xmder deep obligations, and doubtless this will be the response of every reader. The Appendix cannot be otherwise regarded than as a valuable portion of this work.

The portraits of the several breeds of sheep were submitted to a number of competent judges, and pronounced faithful representations. In reference to that of the Spanish Merino, it, with one other, was forwarded to the Hon. Wm. Jarvis, of Vermont, who pronounced it " a fair likeness of a Merino in high order, and with a long fleece." It will be apparent to every one, that an American Merino portrait would be inappropriate in treating of Spanish Merinos. All the cuts were drawn from life, and mostly by the celebrated animal painter, Harvey, of London.

In conclusion, I have chosen very frequently to give the very language of my authorities, rather than my own, except when condensation became necessary. For any one individual to write an original work of this character, embracing such a variety of topics, of course is impracticable ; therefore the course adopted I believed to be best, because it would be likely to have more weight with the reader. My object has been to bring before the public a strong work — authentic, if possible, in every particular, and worthy to be trusted and appealed to upon any question and point of importance ; and lastly, I have endeavored to convey everything in language simple and unadorned, to suit the capacity of the humblest of my brother wool-growers, for whose benefit chiefly this was written. To these, and all others engaged in this honorable vocation, I appeal for a decision upon its merits, which, if favorable, will afford me a degree of pleasure not easily conceived, and terminating only with life.

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 year — 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, were 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 the Israelites — remarks of a writer on this point — custom alro 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 ... 13

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 hrenchy, &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 otiier 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 — diflTerence 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 the 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 sheepmanufacturers 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 off when eight or nine years old — influence of temperature — inequalities of temperature cause an unequal growth of the fibre — necessity of sheltering sheep during winter to counteract it — remarks of Mr. Hunter on the infla*

COMTENTS. XI

ence of climate on hair and wool — Mr. Youatt's remarks — M. Lasteyrie's statement — the cultivation of the Merino and Saxon breeds in the Southern States alluded to — causes of the degeneracy of the Merinos 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 theory, but did not demonstrate it — the first successful effort to demonstrate Monge's theory 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 27

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 Abb6 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 Buffbn 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 Egypt — 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 English — 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 t\#o 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 clergj' — 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 destroyed 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 esquiios — 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 theCatalonian and Pyrenean Merinos — Ms description of their fleeces, &lc. — number of the estantes or stationary Merinos — ditto of the transhumantes or travelling — number of the Chunah breed — superiority of the transhumantes — Mr. Youatt'a description of the qualities of the Merino — weight of fleeces, &c.

CONTENTS.

HISTORY 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. William 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 number at each port — his description of the quahties 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 country — 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

Saxon 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 — description 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

XIT 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 school established to teach the best modes of managing Merinos — M. Fink's system in winter — Prussian fleeces now rival tlie best Saxon.

SiLEsiAN Sheep. Native sheep better than those of Prussia and Hungary — the introduction of the Merinos eflected great improvement— 7 yilesian wools now equal to Saxon.

Hungarian Sheep. Native sheep of Hungary very inferior — Merinoa 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 difiiculties — 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 manuiacture — 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 — description 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 Austrahan 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 Eliman — description of the old South Down — means of Mr. Ellman to improve them — description of improved South Downs — a perfect South Down described — endure short keep — their mutton — adapted

CONTENTS, XV

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

Ryeland Sheep. Origin of name — their locality — weight of quarters — fine 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.

Black-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 — locality 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 .Tohn 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

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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 cliaracter 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 Slates 131

Chapter VIII. Summer Management Of Sheep

Sudden 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. Parturition 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 assistmg the ewe to lamb — fright of the ewe after mechanical aid