130 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



the lambs begin to eat, it will be necessary to give them 

 more room. 



Governor Hoard. I would like to ask the gentleman how 

 many mutton sheep can be kept safely in one flock? 



]\Ir. Avery. Do you mean in the pasture, or in the barn? 



Governor Hoard. In the pasture first. 



Mr. Avery. Well, the largest number I have kept as a 

 rule is 75 or 80. 



Governor Hoard. How many in winter quarters? 



Mr. Avery. The largest number which I have in one 

 pen at the present time is 50. I do not know but they might 

 be kept in larger numbers safely, but I do not think it is as 

 well. If they are kept in small flocks it prevents their 

 crowding. 



The Chairman. If Mr. Avery will allow me, I have kept 

 as many as 500 in one flock without any detriment, where 

 there was plenty to eat in the pasture. In winter I should 

 always divide them up into flocks of 30 or 40, although I am 

 at present keeping 175 in one flock, and they do very well. 

 You have got to use lots of common sense with sheep, besides 

 care. 



Governor Hoard. Have you had any experience in feed- 

 ing ensilage to sheep ? 



Mr. Avery. I have not. 



Mr. Haven. What breed are your sheep ? 



Mr. Avery. My sheep are grade South Downs. 



Mr. Haven. Have you tried other breeds? 



Mr. Avery. I have tried the Merino, and had very fair 

 success with them. 



Governor Hoard. In Wisconsin we have had quite dis- 

 astrous results in feeding sheep when with lamb too heavily 

 with ensilage. It being a carbonaceous food, it did not seem 

 to give the proper growth. Can you house mutton sheep 

 closely with safety? And, in connection with that matter 

 of housing, I want to know whether you can secure thorough 

 ventilation in your houses in winter ? 



Mr. Avery. Well, if they are housed closely, it is very 

 necessary and important that the pens should be ventilated 

 in some way. There are very few days in the winter when 

 some of the windows of my sheep pen arc not open. 



