344 Journal of Agriculture. [8 June, iqo8. 



SHEEP FEEDING. 



H. IT'. Ham. Sheep Expert. 



Although by the time this article is published the necessity for feed- 

 ing sheep may be past, a few facts will, nevertheless, be of interest. It 

 must be admitted that at intervals nothing is more certain to come than 

 drv spells. One of the chief points in good management is to have a 

 supply of fodder in some form or other; but it is equally important 

 to commence feeding in time. With manv who have the fodder by them 

 the temptation is to hold off fox rain, until forced to feed, and then it 

 is a matter of feeding heavily. 



Heavy feeding is always accompanied by a waste of fodder — early 

 commencement means lighter feeding, and less waste. While there is 

 a little natural feed about, be it ever so dry, there is something in be- 

 tween feeding times to keep the stock nibbling, and this allows of a 

 lesser amounts of feed being given at a time, and for it to be cleaned up 

 better. 



Taking year in and year out, it is less expensive to make it a rule 

 to commence feeding about a certain month each year, if it looks at all 

 necessary, or to commence giving a little on the first signs of the stock 

 failing in condition. If rain comes in its proper time, they repay the 

 cost of labor and the fodder given. Should the rain keep off thev are 

 in all the better heart to face the dry spell, and if fodder gives out they 

 are the stronger to travel ; it is a costly matter while a dry spell is on 

 to get sheep strong again, once they have been allowed to get low. It 

 is a risky undertaking to attempt to remove weak sheep to any distance. 



With flocks of sheep kept principally for wool-growing, feeding is 

 always well repaid by commencing early. If the sheep are kept in fair 

 order the growth of wool will be even and sound. The lower in con- 

 dition they get the thinner the fibre grows, and when abundance of 

 feed does come, they start away with a bolder growth, that causes an 

 unevenness, if not a distinct break. In no class of sheep is early com- 

 mencement of feeding so important as in merino lambing flocks. The\ 

 are the earliest to lamb, fine comebacks being next, and crossbreds and 

 pure British breeds later still. If ewes are kept strong through a bad 

 time, it is surprising how they will keep their lambs going ; some of the 

 worst mothers will not have milk for their lambs, but many will pull 

 them through, although it may not be a good rearing. 



Dry spells do good in bringing home forcibly to many sheep men 

 that it is very easy tO' get wrapped up in little points of detail as to 

 qualitv and covering at classing time, and to forget shape of carcass — 

 one of the principal guides tO' constitution, or ability to thrive. 



Fine wool flocks, if allowed to get low in condition at the end of 

 summer, and a dry autumn .sets in, will grow a finer wool than usual ; 

 at the same time they secrete less yolk, and the fleece becomes what is 

 termed "earthy." It is a dusty time of the year, and whether sheep 

 are fed or not, the evil with dust exists. It is when wool is kept grow- 

 ing evenly and is of fair densitv with sufficient volk to absorb and arrest 

 the small particles of dust, that it is maintained in good order, for wool 

 after all is valued for its usefulness when clean scoured. 



