SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 1Q1 



capacity to thrive when herded together in large flocks, no other 

 breed can compete with them. Generally speaking, the South 

 Down and Cotswold sheep do not thrive in flocks exceeding fifty, 

 and I think the farmer should not attempt to keep the coarse- 

 wooled varieties unless he has the means of giving to them good 

 care and constant attention. As they come to maturity earlier 

 and die younger than the fine-wool breeds, neglect tells quicker 

 on the flock. Whatever the variety, one thing is certain, as in 

 every occupation or profession, he who gives to it the best care 

 and most judicious attention will reap the best results. 



The size and price of the animal ofi'ers opportunities for invest- 

 ment of small capital, to be increased as means will allow. In 

 this it is the poor man's friend as well as the rich man's source of 

 profit — always paying their bills as they go, and they never die in 

 debt to their owner. Whatever class of sheep can be most readily 

 obtained will do to commence with, but the better at the start, of 

 course the sooner a good flock will be obtained ; yet they can be 

 greatly improved in a few years by using judgment in selecting 

 breeding animals. 



The great want is not a particular class of sheep, but greater 

 care in feeding, both summer and winter, to bring them to per- 

 fection and to realize all that is of profit. No animal should be 

 allowed to run down and die of old age, and none sold, as a rule, 

 except those in the best possible condition for the butcher, for 

 herein lies the success to which all efforts must tend. It is impos- 

 sible to improve a farm by selling lean stock. 



Sheep are good feeders and readily digest and appropriate to 

 flesh and fat any kind of grain or roots. The qualities of grain 

 for stock, all understand ; but the value of the turnip and beet for 

 feeding is not understood by farmers generally. Especially are 

 they valuable for fall and early winter feed, to be fed while the 

 flock is in the pasture, or in connection with grain during the 

 early winter ; for it is only during fall and immediately after, that 

 they can be fed to profit. Grain is lost if fed the latter half of the 

 winter ; and if the sheep have been allowed to run down and be- 

 come lean, the digestive organs are weakened with the body and 

 both fail alike, as is shown by the scours that follow any attempt 

 to increase the feed to any great extent. A good sheep should 

 pay its cost and keeping in wool, with a margin even at that, 

 leaving the body for the butcher as profit. 

 II 



