just prior to turning on grass; (2)

just prior to turning on grass; (2) administering tranquilizers just prior to shipment and (3) feeding out to lighter weights which will likely mean more feeding of grain on grass. Sheep

Rappahannock’s ewe population trends as compared to that of the state is as follows:

1940 1945 Rappahannock 3745 3859 State 319,282 262,464

1950 1955 Rappahannock 2226 2549 State 229,202 248,642

Assuming the accepted rule of thumb, "that one sheep can be pastured for every 100 pound cow or steer a farm will support” Rappahannock’s sheep population could be more than tripled without over grazing our pasture lands in their present condition. Be it also remembered: (1) * Research shows cattle, sheep, and horses make just as satisfactory gains whether they be pastured separately, rotationally or together and (2) during time of armed conflict our wool ranks second only to food and ammunition with respecj to needs of troops.

Wool production per ewe creased 1.2 pounds in 15 yi Thjp is probably the result in the increased western ewe population and to some extent, not to be overlooked, to better shearing as result of our annual 'sheep shearing school. Assuming the servicable life of a ram to be two years, and 35 ewes per ram, Rappahannock sheep owners would need 72 ram per year.

Income per ewe in value of sheep ant lambs sold has increased from $5.56 to $12.39 from 1940 to 1959. While this—iS^a significant improvement not entirely attributal to price fluctuatons it is still pathetically low especially when records of 4-H flocks show approximately a $20.00 per ewe income from sale of lambs. Hogs

Value of hogs and pigs sold in Rappahannock has been as follows: 1940 1950 1955 $48,192 $160,378 $77,610

The 1955 value represented approximately 11%. oh the value of livestock sold during that -veaH from the county.

Our sow population has been as follows: 1940 1945 1950 1955 738 724 788- 599

At the last census these sows were reported on 179 farms or an