286 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



truth, tlie chief reason why I am not using more and 

 advocating it, is its heavy cost, now that the dairy- 

 men have learned that they must have it. 



In former years, before they had much alfalfa 

 hay and when bran was far cheaper than now, the 

 writer and his brother fed many tons of it to lambs 

 with very gratifying results. They made it profit- 

 able to feed it, though later when they had abandon- 

 ed it for alfalfa hay produced on their own farm 

 the profits of lamb feeding were greatly increased. 



The cost of growing lamb mutton in the days when 

 timothy hay, oat straw and shredded corn stover 

 were used in connection with wheat bran and oilmeal 

 for the ration, with corn, was about $6.25 per hun- 

 dred pounds. Afterward, when the only feeds used 

 were alfalfa hay and ear corn, the cost dropped to 

 $3.50 per hundred. With hay at $8.00, corn at 35c. 



There are troubles that come to weak western 

 lambs upon their first introduction to the eastern 

 feedlot. Sometimes they develop sore mouths in a 

 very contagious form. The remedy is to rub off the 

 scabs with a corncob and cover the sore places with 

 a little undiluted coaltar sheep dip. This remedies 

 the disorder in short order. It is wise to take it in 

 hand early. 



Sometimes, if the yards are a bit muddy, sore feet 

 develop. These ought to be promptly treated, either 

 with blue vitriol or butter of antimony and the yard 

 made dry. Air-slaked, dry lime scattered where they 

 will get it on their feet will help. 



Now we have the lambs used to their new home and 



