FAEMERS' IJq^STITUTES. 359< 



like to feed at least once a day in the fields away from barn or shed, and on, 

 the ground when the weather will admit of it, that is, when it is not stormy, 

 and where it is clean, away from the barn, so as to give them the proper amount 

 of exercise, whicli is next in importance to their feed. In storn)y weather, or 

 ■when soft under foot, feed in racks or some sort of manger so that they can't 

 get their food under their feet and dirty and waste it. 



W7ie7i to Feed. 



In extremely cold weather when sheep have a good shed to lie in (if you did 

 not forget to give them their supper the night before) eight o'clock will find 

 them not uneasy about their breakfast, but quietly ruminating on what they 

 got the night before; therefore as the cold of tlie night begins to yield to the 

 influence of the day, I consider it about the best time to feed. I prefer feed- 

 ing grain at noon or.niglit, as I find they eat it with a better relish than in the 

 morning before stirring around some, ilegularity in feeding sliould be strictly 

 adhered to, whether it be twice or thrice a day. I know that many farmers', 

 are at fault on this point, and I believe it to be of more importance than most 

 of us regard it. When the usual time approaches for receiving our meal we- 

 like to see at least some indications that we shall get it ; but if we are com- 

 pelled to remain some time, be it longer or shorter, in suspense, it is apt to- 

 create an anxiety and uneasiness which is detrimental to that peace and quiet 

 Avhich is absolutely essential to our making the best use of our food when we 

 get it, and this truth will apply with even greater force to our domestic animals^ 

 It is a law of our nature, and may not be violated without suffering the penalty.. 

 AVhen one meal is digested then hunger compels them to look for another, and 

 if from habit they have learned when to look for it, there will be no waste of 

 force in that unrest and uneasiness which those animals feel that are irregu- 

 larly fed, or miss every now and then a meal, and whose condition plainly 

 shows the ignorance or n:gligencc of their owners. 



Lambs should have three feeds per day, as all young animals need less at a 

 time and oftener. If your hay be nice, fine and sweet, they should eat it clean» 

 if coarse or of poor quality what is left should be given to horses or colts, as; 

 they seem to like it and will readily eat it ; at all events clean the racks or; 



boxes before feeding again. 



What to Feed. 



The sheep eats a greater variety of food than almost any other animal whem 

 they can get it. Therefore feed as ^reat a variety as possible, changing from! 

 one kind to another, and you will be surprised at the increased relish with which 

 they partake of their food, and consequent condition of thrift which they will? 

 exhibit. Oat and barley straw I consider vahiable for feeding fall grown sheep* 

 once a day. Think it jiays to cut early and take pains to cure nicely, put in 

 my bay when I thresh, and feed in shed at night. But there is one kind of 

 food which, as I use from year to year, I think more and more of, and that is^ 

 the root crop. I consider that kind of root most valuable which can be raised 

 the easiest, — the sugar beet, the mangold-wurzel, or the baga, each or either 

 supplies a need in the animal economy which can not well be met by any other 

 kind of food. Wheat bran coming the nearest to it of anything practically 

 available. He who best understands the needs of the animal, -ind supplies that 

 need from the first stages of its growth until it is fully developed and matured,, 

 will be the most successful in supplying the demand for first class animals at 



