VALUE OF SHEEP MANURE. 79 



of keeping an accurate account of the whole flock, which were 

 treated in exactly the same manner as these. The following 

 figures give the result : 



Feb. 20, 60 grade Leicesters weighed 8,870 Ibs. 



March 28, 60 grade Leicesters weighed 9,878 Ibs. 



Gain in weight 1,008 Ibs. 



Feb. 20, 61 Merinos weighed 6,909 Ibs. 



March 28, 61 Merinos weighed 7,389 Ibs. 



Gain in weight 480 Ibs. 



Cost of feed for the first lot $174.43 



Cost of feed for the second lot 144.78 



Against the cost of feed there are the gain in weight at 10 and 

 10| cents a pound respectively, the advance in price upon the 

 whole weight, consequent upon the improved condition of the 

 sheep, and the manure left. On the whole, there was a profit upon 

 the first lot and a loss on the second one. Experience teaches that 

 the proper selection of the breed of sheep is a very important con- 

 sideration. It would be wise for such as have not had experience, 

 and who do not understand how to choose sheep for feeding, as 

 well as how to feed and market them judiciously, to avoid the 

 business, until by small ventures, they have learned how to succeed 

 with larger ones. To buy judiciously is the great point, for "a 

 flock well bought is half sold." 



VALUE OF MANURE. The manure of sheep is naturally rich ; 

 their mastication and digestion are so perfect that seeds of weeds 

 are utterly destroyed in the passage through their intestines, and 

 additional value is readily given to the manure by feeding a por- 

 tion of concentrated food, such as oil-cakes, corn-meal, or bran. 

 The urine and dung of the sheep are both very rich in fertilizing 

 elements. The urine contains 28 parts in 1,000 of urea, which is a 

 highly nitrogenized substance, and 12 parts in 1,000 of salts, rich 

 in phosphoric acid ; the remainder is water. The fresh dung con- 

 tains : 



Of water 68.0 per cent. 



Animal and vegetable matter 19.3 per cent. 



Saline matter or ash 12.7 per cent. 



100.00 per cent. 



The organic matter is rich in nitrogen, so much so, that 36 parts 

 of the dung contains as much nitrogen as 54 parts of horse dung, 

 63 parts of pig's dung, 125 parts of cow's dung, and 100 parts of 

 mixed barn-yard manure. The manure yielded is dry, and con- 

 tains less water than that of other farm animals ; thus for 100 Ibs. 



