YALE AGRICULTURAL LECTURES. 153 



It is estimated that 300 pounds of good hay will winter a 

 small sheep, while larger ones may take three times the amount. 



Water is absolutely necessary to the thrift of sheep in the 

 winter. It is best brought into the yards, as the steep banks 

 of streams prove dangerous to the sheep. 



Salt may be provided in winter by a moderate salting of 

 the hay two to four quarts a ton ; but excessive salting must 

 be avoided, as on such neither sheep nor cattle will thrive. 



As the lambing season approaches, snug quarters must be 

 provided for the breeding ewes, where they can be clean, warm, 

 and dry. They will seek the necessary seclusion in the open field. 



The increase from a flock of Merino or Saxony ewes, which 

 rarely twin, may be from 80 to 100 per cent., while in the South 

 down or Cotswold, 150 per cent., or even more may be raised. 



Little can be hoped from legislative action as a protection 

 from dogs. Bells attached to the necks of a few sheep in each 

 flock deter the cowardly curs, or give warning of their attacks. 



Sheep washing, shearing, and rolling the wool demand care 

 ful attention. Diseases come mostly from carelessness, and 

 prevention must be our resource. The age of the sheep is de 

 termined by the teeth, but such irregularities arise in these as 

 well as in other animals, that the Connecticut State Agricultural 

 Society have decided to receive satisfactory testimony as to the 

 age of any animal, rather than to depend on the indications 

 of the teeth. 



Of the three breeds on the stage, for the food consumed, 

 the Merinos yield the most wool, the Cotswolds the most mut 

 ton, and the Southdowns mutton of the best quality. 



The celebrated experiment of Lawes and Gilbert in England 

 on 50 sheep, of each of the most celebrated British breeds, proves 

 the Cotswold as giving for the food the most wool and mutton ; 

 the Southdown the least; yet, sold in Smithfield, the South 

 down brought three cents per pound the most, so that the re 

 sults as to profit were equal. 



The Southdown is eminently fitted for the light lands of New 

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