SHEEP. 343 



WINTER MANAGEMENT AND FOOD. Sheep should be 

 brought into winter quarters soon after the severe frosts oc- 

 cur, as these diminish the feed, and materially impair its nu- 

 tritious qualities. They ought also to be removed from the 

 s lands bi-Joiv they IK-OO e permanently softened by the 

 rain.-, :H they will injuriously affect their comfort and health ; 

 and it is equally objectionable from their poaching the sod. 

 If the number be large when brought to the yards, they must 

 be carefully divided into flocks of 50 to 100, according to the 

 size of the yards and sheds. The young and feeble must be 

 separated from the others, and the ailing ones placed by them- 

 selves ; und that no one may suffer from the others, all should 

 be classed as uniformly as possible as to strength. The 

 yards must be dry. well supplied with a trough of fresh water, 

 and with comfortable sheds to which they can retire when 

 they "hoose. 



.SHELTERS in northern climates are indispenable to profita- 

 ble sheep-raising, and in every latitude north of the Gulf of 

 Mexico, they would be advantageous. There is policy as 

 well as humanity in the practice. An animal eats much less 

 when thus protected ; he is more thrifty, less liable to disease, 

 and his manure is richer and more abundant. The feeding 

 may be done in the open yard in clear weather, and under 

 cover in severe storms. The shelters for sheep are variously 

 constructed, to suit the taste or circumstances of the flock- 

 master. A sheep-barn built upon a side hill will afford two 

 floors ; one underneath, surrounded by three sides of wall and 

 opening to the south, with sliding or swinging doors to guard 

 against, storms ; and another overhead, if the floors are made 

 perfectly tight, with gutters to carry off the urine ; and suffi- 

 cient storage for the fodder may be made by scaffolds. Or 

 they may be constructed with 12 or 15 feet posts on level 

 ground, allowing them to occupy the lower part, with the fod- 

 der stored above. In all cases however, thorough ventilation 

 should be provided, for of the two evils of exposure to cold 

 or too great privation of air, the former is to be preferred. 

 Sheep cannot long endure c'ose confinement without injury. 

 In all ordinary weather, a shed closely boarded on three sides, 

 with a close roof, is sufficient protection, especially if the 

 open side is shielded from bleak winds, or leads into a well 

 enclosed yard. If the apartment above is used for storage, 

 the floors should be made tight, that no hay, chaff or dust can 

 fall upon the fleece. 



