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| One Stitch at a Time |
Posted - 11/02/2011 : 5:10:18 PM
Things other than knitting that sheep are useful for:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/garden/sheep-lawn-mowers-and-other-go-getters.html
Enjoy!
Nanci |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| marjotse |
Posted - 11/05/2011 : 09:59:03 AM
The place where I work is building a new laboratory (to be ready in 2015) and the landscaping is quite elaborate with little grassy "hills" (there is a real reason for this, to do with ground vibrations). Of course a grass-mower is not possible, so already now the people who designed it, had the perfect solution: sheep..... so yeah, I'm looking forward to my new place to work!
Marjolein
http://kantajour.blogspot.com
my photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98299499@N00/
On Ravelry: Marjotse
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| Shelia |
Posted - 11/05/2011 : 08:49:43 AM
Oh, sorry, I thought from your previous post that you were saying that they were developed to be an ornamental breed. When the sheep were introduced to England for that purpose they were already a recognizable breed, so in fact whereever they came from they are certainly one of the older primitive breeds.
In the 16th and 17th century many types of animals and plants were being brought to England by the explorers and merchants. It's not surprising that unusual loking sheep would have intrigued people enough to bring some back and display them at an estate.
Whether the biblical allusion of the name is literal, or just descriptive of the colors of the wool, who knows. Certainly some other types of sheep that originated in the Middle East and Asia are known for their colorful wool as well, such as the Karakul and other breeds common in Turkey, Central Asia and the eastern Mediterranean. Several sources doing genetic testing have discovered that the Jacob breed shares genes of the eastern Mediterranean sheep, but most likely that would also be true of many other breeds from southern and southeastern Europe.
Shelia
www.letstalkstash.blogspot.com
ravelry name - sheliaknits |
| Kade1301 |
Posted - 11/04/2011 : 09:23:50 AM
Deb Robson writes "they were historically kept as ornamental animals by the landed gentry of England". And "British Sheep & Wool" (by the British Wool Marketing Board) says: "Closely related to a Middle Eastern breed of Biblical times, and introduced to Britain in the 17th century as a fashionable and attractive parkland breed."
Only Jacob don't look a lot like the sheep you see in the Middle East today, and Robson states that there's no genetic evidence for a relationship. And frankly - why should anybody bring sheep from the Middle East to England in the 17th century? The English had been accomplished sheep breeders for hundreds of years by then... But of course the "bible connection" makes for a good story and might even help to promote the breed (which is certainly worth promoting)... (I really need to think of something for my Thônes et Marthod ;) )
Bye, Klara
http://www.lahottee.info |
| kkknitter |
Posted - 11/03/2011 : 10:36:39 AM
You got to love this kid. |
| Shelia |
Posted - 11/03/2011 : 07:40:11 AM
Hmm, according to Deb Robson's Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, the origins of Jacob sheep are murky. Klara, do you have a reference for your comment that they are an ornamental breed? (I'm always interested in trivia about sheep breeds)
I agree also that I wonder how he keeps them in the people's yards. My DH thought that since our sheep are pretty tame and lead-trained that he could stake them out to eat the edges of our yard and driveway. Didn't work - they kept getting their legs and nearby trees or bushes totally tangled in the leads. Unless the guy in Ohio brings Electronet or fence panels with him, I can't imagine how it works.
Shelia
www.letstalkstash.blogspot.com
ravelry name - sheliaknits |
| Kade1301 |
Posted - 11/03/2011 : 03:37:31 AM
It's a nice idea, but I've always wondered how they keep the sheep where they are supposed to be and stop them from eating the rose bushes. And for the record: Jacob are a British ornamental (park land) breed - they don't date back to biblical times...
Bye, Klara
http://www.lahottee.info |
| knitree |
Posted - 11/02/2011 : 11:40:01 PM
Great story! Southdown Babydoll sheep are used at vineyards to keep the grass and weeds under control, and because they don't eat the grapes. I'm sure there are many more examples too...
Tree
Taking simple patterns and complicating them... |
| dschmidt |
Posted - 11/02/2011 : 6:15:42 PM
Love it
Donna in VA
The Honor Roll? It's easier here than in school. Scroll up to "Want to Make Betty Happy?" and be an Honor Roll member.
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