214 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



only as it comes in the milk from the ewes. I am fully con- 

 vinced that lambs will fatten faster, and with less grain, 

 when the ewes are fed largely with cotton-seed meal. When 

 the lambs are taught to eat their grain, they should be fed 

 regularly, and no more than they will eat up clean. I do not 

 believe in the idea of having the grain always before them. 

 The lambs should have access to pure water as well as the 

 ewes; and both should have salt so convenient, that they 

 can help themselves whenever they desire. As the lambs 

 grow and develop, they should have a change of feed for 

 a few days, from oil-meal mixed with northern corn-meal to 

 oil-meal and the corn cracked ; and then, again, give them 

 rye unground; but seldom, if ever, give up the oil-meal. 

 Be sure and have that the basis of the grain with which you 

 feed your lambs, and, with a little change in your other 

 grains, you will prevent sickness, followed almost always 

 with death, and this, too, of your best lambs. Giving the 

 lambs a daily feed of potatoes also is an excellent thing. 



Have every thing neat and clean about your sheepfold, 

 with good ventilation, yet warm in winter, and cool as the 

 warm spring weather approaches, and, with a love for the 

 business, you will surely succeed, receiving better pay for 

 the time spent, the hay and grain given to both sheep and 

 lambs, than you can in any other possible way, -dairying not 

 excepted. You ask me to give you some figures, and that 

 is what I now propose to do. 



Any farmer who has the " trade " learned can safely rely 

 on the following figures : — 



Fifty suitable ewes for raising early lambs are worth, at time 

 of putting into winter-quarters, at present prices, $5 per 

 head, or $250 00 



Value of extra feed for the ewes that are to lamb early, $ 1 per 



head, or 50 00 



Value of feed for lambs, including rowen, grain, and roots, at 



present price $2.50, or 125 00 



Total expense $425 00 



RETURNS. 



Fifty ewes are worth as much by the last of May, when the 

 lambs should all be sold, as when put into winter-quarters, 

 viz., $5, or $250 00 



