FAEMEES' INSTITUTES, 1G9 



so alloAved to run they lose ilesh at a time when they slioulJ bo gaining, so 

 that they may more snccessfully stand the rigors of winter. "There is no 

 error more fatal to success than neglect" "There is no condition so 

 good for an animal going into winter quarters, as a thriving fatness." It 

 is bad economy to neglect feeding in the fall because it does not seem 

 late enough in the season. The health of an animal is of importance, and 

 disease frequently follows a decline produced by neglect at this season of the 

 year and much expense and time are required as a penalty for the neglect. 



One great fault of farmers who raise stock is tlie habit of keeping too much. 

 Never keep any more stock than can be kept well. Keep less and better, for 

 there is more profit in such a course. Much has been said about the blue-grass 

 region of Kentucky, where according to such reports, we should find the stock 

 burdened with flesh, contented and happy. This is true to a certain extent, 

 but how is it obtained? Not by any great superiority of soil, or superior 

 modes of cultivation, or even a much better climate, but by nearly the reverse 

 of our practices. "While we are not satisfied unless we have from three to five 

 head of cattle per acre in our pastures, they seldom average more than one 

 head to two or three acres. This method allows their pastures to grow and 

 form a thick bottom of substantial grass, so that in case of dry weather they 

 are supplied with plenty of rich food, which readily produces flesh. Their 

 winter pastures are allowed to grow without much stock being kept on them in 

 the fall, and when their cold season comes (unless for a few days the fields 

 may be covered with snow) the cattle can get a good supply of winter pasture. 

 While our climate does not admit of this practice of winter management (and 

 I doubt the utility of it there), still the practice of letting our pastures have 

 more chance to throw, and then be left standing for a supply when dry weather 

 comes, Avould be commendable economy. What we call our June grass is the 

 same as the Kentucky blue grass (botanically considered), a small difference, 

 perhaps, in appearance, due to a difference of soil and climate, and so natural 

 is it to our sandy soils even, that if let alone and manured it will yield nearly 

 as much food as that grown on the far-famed fields of Kentucky. 



What has been said with reference to cattle applies to sheep and swine, with 

 variations relative to the purposes for which we are breeding. If we are raising 

 slieep for mutton principally, a liberal supply of food should be given that 

 will stimulate the earliest maturity and fattening propensity. If for wool as 

 the main object and mutton secondary, the slower maturing breeds should be 

 raised, and as liberal feeding iu the mutton breeds promotes growtli and early 

 maturity, iu the smaller breeds it produces growth, flesh, and a large amount 

 of good, strong, merchantable wool. No farmer should be satisfied if his flock 

 does not shear at least seven pounds of well-washed wool, or ten pounds of un- 

 washed fleece, and the ewes rear a large percentage of lambs. I think it is 

 safe to say that no farm stock pays so good a profit for the outlay and care as 

 sheep, it is highly essential that they be well cared for, and tiiat all the aid and 

 light Avhicli is the result of theory and experience be at our disposal. How to 

 feed a flock of breeding ewes and keep them in a condition to produce the 

 most wool, and at the same time raise the largest number of good lambs, is a 

 question about which flockmasters differ. The loss of a crop of lambs is a serious 

 matter when we come to settle up the accounts of our sheep at the close of the 

 year. Perhaps it is safe to say that one-third of the lambs of this state arc 

 yearly lost from one cause or another, and a large per cent of this loss arises 

 from a want of proper care and attention during the lambing season. The 

 remedy for this trouble is obvious ; but to other causes of mortality, such as 



