6o 



find the lambs do better if the feed is given them fresh in a clean 

 trough three times a day. Nice clover hay is almost indispensable 

 for both ewes and lambs. Alfalfa or soy bean hay may be substi- 

 tuted. The lambs must not be compelled to eat their hay close. 

 It must be changed three or more times a day. The little lambs as 

 well as their mothers need to have both salt and water accessible. 

 We have fed ensilage three winters with entire satisfaction. Indeed 

 we would not think of trying to raise winter lambs without it. It is 

 altogether the cheapest feed we can prepare, is relished perfectly by 

 the sheep and little lambs as well and it makes fat lambs. We feed 

 it twice a day with a little gluten meal sprinkled over it. With a 

 light feed of hay once a day this constitutes the entire ration of the 

 ewes after they go to winter quarters. Neither the ewes nor the 

 lambs leave the barn from the time they enter it until after the lambs 

 are slaughtered. Some other nitrogenous feed might be substituted 

 for the gluten meal. The determining consideration is the cost. The 

 term "hot-house" formerly applied to these early lambs led many 

 people to think they must have an artificially heated house. This 

 is not necessary. They need a stable into which the wind cannot 

 blow, one with considerable glass on the south and west sides. But 

 the stable does not want to be closed all the time, only indeed upon 

 very cold days. Pure air is essential. If the air is ever noticeably 

 foul on entering the stable from the outside get some pure air into 

 it at once. To prevent the escape of ammonia from the accumulating 

 manure there is nothing else as effective as acidulated phosphate 

 rock, just such as is sold for fertilizer. The free sulphuric acid in it 

 combines with the ammonia in a somewhat stable combination, yet 

 one that is available as plant food so that the fertilizer is not lost. 

 Bedding should be used in sufficient quantity only to keep the stable 

 clean. Any excess encourages heating. If possible have the lambs 

 private apartment where they are fed hay and grain so situated that 

 the direct rays of the midday sun fall into it. This should be shut 

 off from the old sheep by a creep. Make this of slats placed per- 

 pendicularly eight to ten inches apart. Let nothing disturb the 

 lambs or their mothers. The lambs should do nothing but eat and 

 sleep, not even play. During the early part of the season forty-five 

 pounds live weight is large enough. But weight is not the only con- 



