Sheep-Raising.
ALBEMARLE county is finely adapted to sheep-raising.
The large long-wooled breeds—Cotswolds, Leicesters
and Lincolnshires—attain to fine sizes, and produce heavy
fleeces upon the rich and luxuriant grasses of the Piedmont
portions of the county; while the finer and medium wool
breeds—Merino, Southdowns and Shropshiredowns—thrive
well in those portions of the county where the grasses are
less luxuriant, and crosses between the long and short-wool
breeds thrive and do well in all portions of it.
With proper attention, the improved breeds of sheep may
be made to weigh from two hundred to two hundred and fifty
pounds gross, and to yield fleeces weighing from twelve to
sixteen pounds. The writer has verified the correctness of
these statements, and in a few instances exceeded the above
weights both in mutton and wool.
The medium temperature of the climate enables the breeder
to have his lambs come early in the season, and, with proper
care, to save them; thus securing the advantages of early
market, and, consequently, of good prices.
While the medium temperature of the climate is no inconsiderable
advantage, there are others that will appear to the
intending settler as very important—such as pure water, fine
soil, and a cultured, moral and religious citizenship.
But few industries make better returns or insure larger
profits, in proportion to their cost or outlay, than sheep husbandry;
and one notable advantage which it possesses is, that
it can be engaged in by men of limited means and small
farmers, as well as by capitalists and large farmers, and presents
an inviting field to both the utilitarian and the amateur.
Number of sheep in the county in the year 1880, 10,832;
spring clip of 1880, 42,789 pounds.
