CARE OF SHEEP. 241 



and twelve pounds. Those under the shed consumed at 

 first as much food as the others, but after the third week 

 they each ate two pounds less of turnips per day, and in 

 the ninth week two pounds less again or only fifteen 

 pounds per day. Of the linseed cake they also ate about 

 one-third less than the other lot, and yet increased in 

 weight seven hundred and ninety pounds, or two hundred 

 and seventy-eight pounds more than the others. 



863. The winter feed of sheep should include a proper 

 portion of green and succulent food, in addition to fine 

 hay or early cut clover. Unless it be of good quality, 

 much of it is rejected and wasted. 



864. Ten fine-woolled or Merino sheep, will eat about 

 as much as a medium-sized cow. The larger sheep 

 consume more. The Merinos yield the best wool, the 

 Cotswolds the most wool and mutton, and the South Downs 

 mutton of the best quality. 



865. It will be found useful to attach bells to several 

 of the flock. By this means dogs may often be prevented 

 from attacking them, and if the sheep are molested a 

 warning is given. This is also a protection against foxes. 



866. There are many breeds of swine, as the Suffolk, 

 the Essex, the Berkshire, the Chester, &c., each of which 

 has its peculiar excellence, but the more common distinc 

 tion is into large and small breeds. The choice must 

 depend much on thriftiness and early maturity, or a 

 disposition to fatten readily, for on these qualities will 

 depend largely the profit to be derived from keeping them. 



867. The food of swine may be a little sour, without 

 injury, if it does not stand till a strong fermentation takes 

 place ; indeed, more pork will be obtained when green 

 vegetables, meal and potatoes, are boiled and allowed to 



