HIGH-CLASS SHEEP-BREEDING. 89 



constituents so as to give special development and en- 

 gender a special habit of body in animals ; for instance, 

 producing a greater or less tendency to fatten, or to make 

 beef or flesh ; accommodating the mechanical treatment 

 so that the health may not suffer ; and, in order to second 

 the object aimed at, more or less exercise, shelter, or ex- 

 posure, are material influences, which the skilful breeder 

 should know how to graduate according to the proposed 

 end. 



Following out the subject of nutrition, or feeding, of 

 animals of great value, whose perfection of type, special 

 properties, and constitutional vigour, are so intimately 

 connected with it, it is desirable to indicate certain con- 

 ditions of the natural and other pasture, under various 

 circumstances, so that the high-caste breeder may sup- 

 plement such fodder with other matters of food, when 

 there is deficiency in any essential ingredient. It does 

 not suffice that the animal is supplied with any given 

 quantity of food-matters ; but, as I have said, such food 

 must be in fit condition and possess the right proportions, 

 more or less, of feeding-ingredients, to form, sustain, and 

 renew every portion of the body, and to enable all the 

 functions to be performed harmoniously, naturally, and 

 with facility. 



In the winter season, by reason of the low temperature 

 and feeble heat of the sun, the growth and organisation 

 of herbage is in comparative abeyance. Owing to the 

 non- concurrence of all the cosmic influences in the requi- 

 site degree, the winter herbage does not assimilate har- 

 moniously with the various elements of its organism, and 

 there is wanting in it the due proportions for its complete 

 development. It has an excess of water, and a deficiency 

 of saccharine, or starchy elements, as also of the alkaline 

 salts. It is deficient in nutritious properties generally. It 



