Feeding Siiefp for Market. 235 



same person should do all the feeding that an equal amount 

 be given each time. 



If we wisli to secure the full benefit of their feed, and 

 the greatest profit of their keep, we must avoid exposure 

 to the chane-es of the weather. This can be done with 

 warm sheds, well ventilated. Warmth is favorable to fat- 

 tening — is ecjuivalent to a certain amount of food. Science 

 and practice agree on this point. I recollect reading, some 

 time since, of a series of experiments in feeding, tried in 

 Germany, which showed the following results : Sheep fed 

 in warm, well ventilated sheds, required 22 pounds of food 

 to 30 pounds for those fed without sheds ; while the former 

 gained 'S pounds, the latter gained but 1 pound, or in that 

 ratio. 



Food, though it must be supplied in abundance, ought 

 not to be given to satiety. The digestive organs must be 

 kept in a sound state. Herein lies the benefit of feeding 

 roots ; they help digestion, and keep up the appetite. 

 Tran({uillity is a requisite for good results. Sheep are eas- 

 ily frigliteued by everything that tends to annoy, like any 

 other stock, such as a colt, or calves, which we sometimes see 

 in the same yard, or even poultry, tlie presence of a dog, 

 or too fi-c(|ucnt intrusion of man, if any one but the keeper. 



Comfort is anotlier requisite. If too many are crowded 

 into a given space, or into too small a yard for feeding, or 

 the racks and troughs are inconvenient for taking their food, 

 or if they are compelled to go througli, or stand in mud or 

 water to get their food or drink ; these all operate unfavor- 

 ably. 



Cleanliness. — The sheep is naturally a clean animal, 



