The Question Box. 331 



produce lambs. Such ewes as I keep weigh about 140 pounds, 

 so that both being well fed, five sheep in the place of one cow 

 wo\ild be about the ratio I would name. 



What do you consider the best or most proper grain for sheep? 



Mr. Ward. — I feed ensilage once a day; the other ration is one 

 made of wheat bran and ground oats with perhaps a little oil meal 

 added. I should never feed corn when I had ensilage. Unless 

 one wants to fatten sheep, do not feed them corn. I have experi- 

 mented as much as has any man in the State, in feeding corn to 

 breeding ewes, and I am going to say that I never fed it except 

 at a loss. I do not believe that any man can feed corn to breed- 

 ing ewes without endangering the loss or injury of their udders. 

 I have tried it, and, as a result, had to take them out to the woods 

 and never bring them back again. 



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Would you advise breeding ewes the first year of their lives? 



Mr. Ward. — I would never breed ewes before they were a year 

 old. There is always a greater or less loss of lambs from such 

 ewes. 



How old should a ram be when used in the flock? 

 Mr. Ward. — One year; but five years is better. 



What breed of sheep are best for winter lambs? 



Mr. Ward. — I suppose by the question that lambs fit for 

 markets not later than February are meant. For such I would 

 have a large per cent, of Dorset blood. But there is fully aa 

 much in the feeding as in the breed. Such lambs must be fed and 

 pushed constantly. Feed oat fiakes, wheat bran and oil meal and 

 there should be some sugar fed. I know of a man near Roches- 

 ter who keeps 100 breeding ewes and sells his lambs in New York 

 for f 10 each. 



Which breed of sheep is most profitable for both mutton and wool? 



Mr. Ward. — There is no good sheep for both mutton and wool. 

 Either make one or the other a specialty: For mutton I would 

 not keep the Dorsets but some one of the dark-faced breeds. 



