310 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



have better care in the earlier part of winter than they are accustomed generally 

 to receive from the average farmer; for without a fair start in going into their winter 

 quarters, they are very apt to decline, as there is an extra demand for food and care fturing 

 the winter, with a small return for it in wool in the spring, as no sheep that is not in a 

 thriving condition can produce much wool, since the growth of wool always depends upon 

 the condition and health of the animal. When sheep are healthy and kept fat, the wool 

 grows rapidly, and large fleeces are the result; when kept poor, the fleeces will be 

 correspondingly light. No flock can be expected to manufacture mutton or wool without 

 the material to manufacture it from, and that material can be nothing else than the food 

 taken into an animal s stomach. 



Sheep should be brought into winter quarters very soon after the severe frosts have 

 reduced or impaired the feed of the pastures, and they should have a little grain every day 

 from the time the grass begins to fail until it is well started in the spring. A sheep breeder 

 of large and successful experience says: &quot;I would rather my sheep would have a gill of 

 corn or oats per day from the middle of November till April, than a pint per day from 

 January till June,&quot; thus showing the importance of starting them well in the early winter. 

 A good supply of roots, such as turnips, is also very beneficial at this time. Sheep should 

 not be crowded into too close quarters; the percentage of health is much greater in small 

 flocks, than in large, there being much more danger of disease in large flocks than in small. 

 Some recommend seventy-five or a hundred as a number suited to a single flock, while others 

 are quite successful with from two hundred to three hundred; others still recommend from 

 twelve to twenty as a more profitable number for a flock. 



Much, of course, depends on the size of yards, etc., and the general accommodations for 

 large or small flocks, as good ventilation and sufficient room are very essential to the health 

 of any animal; but where the conveniences are such that small flocks can be maintained 

 separately, such a practice would be more desirable. Of course, this would not be practicable 

 in sheep husbandry on the extensive ranches of this country, such as some of those in the 

 Western States and Territories, where thousands of sheep are kept which require the constant 

 attention of shepherds. Its application would be to the general breeder or farmer. The 

 flock should be so divided that the stronger cannot injure the weaker, and in such a manner 

 that all may have an equal chance. The lambs should be put by themselves with a few 

 old sheep; this will have a tendency to keep them tame. The breeding ewes should also be 

 kept by themselves, as well as the large and small wethers. A hospital pen should always 

 be reserved for the sick or injured. Dividing as nearly as possible according to strength 

 and condition, all will have a fairer chance for getting on well, than where large numbers of 

 all ages and conditions are allowed to run together. 



Sheds for Sheep, etc. The yards should be dry and provided with sheds that can 

 afford the sheep comfortable protection from all storms, and to which they can retire when 

 they choose; it would be well to have the yard slope a little in order to better protect it from 

 the accumulation of water. A shed well boarded on three sides and provided with a tight 

 roof, is a sufficient protection for all except in storms or the most severe weather in winter. 

 And if it open to the south, with a southern slope, into a well enclosed yard, so much the 

 better. The addition of sliding-doors, to be closed in case of severe storms, will make a very 

 comfortable winter establishment for any flock. 



Arrangements should always be made for proper ventilation, and by that we mean that 

 the animals should have an abundant supply of fresh air, without being exposed to a draft or 

 current of air, which can readily be accomplished with a little ingenuity and forethought in 

 the Construction of such a shed. No animal suffers more by close confinement than a sheep, 

 consequently they should be confined as little as possible, and should be allowed the freedom 

 of the yard at all times except during the severest storms. Conditions of climate vary, but 



