The Andrew County Republican

Sheep for Profit.

E. Menault, in one of a series of little farm books published by Hachette, Paris, considers that hill sheep are naturally small but rustic and robust, while those in valleys are larger but less energetic. Wet argillaceous soils produce a tall, lymphatic rather than sanguine animal, with long, soft, coarse wool, not elastic. This sheep is hard to fatten, but is long-lived. The best soils are calcareous, producing medium-sized, sanguine animals, with fine fleeces, the wool running to flocks. Siliceous soils give an excellent temperament with less food, a small sheep with short wool and savory flesh. Cold dews and the heat of the day should be avoided by the shepherd. Dew on clover or other rich grass is often fatal to sheep, while, on the other hand, many die from lack of water. Sheep should not be washed before shearing, because it is troublesome, dangerous to the sheep, and of little or no advantage to consumers of wool. The lamb is born with twenty-four molars, and in the lower jaw only eight incisors. In the second year the two middle incisors on each side fall and are replaced; in the third year the next two incisors on each side fall and are likewise replaced, the animal being then called "of four teeth;" in the fourth it becomes a beast of six teeth; the two incisors next in order, one on either side of the jaw, falling in turn. In the fifth year adult teeth have taken the place of all the eight incisors. It should be remembered, however, that improved and precocious breeds of sheep have these effects hastened by from eight to twelve months.-December Scribner.