1048 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOE. 



plowing, and upon grain land intended for hoed crops next season Light 

 grain, of Httle other value, will prove a mine of wealth ni this way if sown 

 as directed. 



Never allow your sheep to fall away in flesh before they are put into 

 the feeding yards and barns for the winter. The time to feed is before 

 they begin to lose flesh. They will, indeed, shrink in weight somewhat, 

 as the feed becomes dry, but it will be principally moisture that they lose, 

 if proper feeding be kept up. When the full succulence of the flesh is 

 to be kept up, there is nothing better than roots — Swedish turnips, car- 

 rots and beets being the most profitable in the West. At all events, as 

 the pastures become dry let the sheep have one feed a day of something 

 better than they can pick up in the fields. 



Xm. Winter Feeding. 



You cannot have an even texture of wool, if sheep are allowed to 

 fall away greatly in flesh, or even receive a decided check. Every time 

 this occurs, a weak place will be found in the wool. Nor can you raise 

 heavy fleeces on hay. If you do not intend to take the best of care of 

 sheep, and keep them thriving, you had better not keep any but the com- 

 monest kinds. It is true, you will lose money on these, but then you 

 will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have lost less money than 

 you w^ould have lost on better ones. 



ALLOWED TO SHIFT FOR ITSELF. WINTERED WITH GOOD SHELTER AND FEED 



The feeding of roots is essential to the best care of sheep, especially 

 when the succulence of the flesh is to be retained ; but roots are not abso- 

 lutely necessary. The question of cost must be considered in connection 

 with grain. Carrots and parsnips may be raised with proper implements 

 and put in pits for five dollars per ton ; and Swedish turnips and man»ei 

 wurzels, for about three dollars or less. Carrots are excellent for ewes 

 before lambing time, and parsnips for those giving milk ; the latter may 

 be left all winter in the ground and be fed up to the time grass be- 

 comes flush. Beets should not be fed until after January on account of 



