SHEEP PRODUCTION 253 



maintain the health of the flock. The chief feeding require- 

 ments are met if frequent changes of good pastures and 

 grazing crops are provided for the open season, and legumi- 

 nous hay for the winter. Some grain is needed, especially 

 in the latter part of winter just after the lambs appear. 



The feeding requirements can be secured on many farms 

 that contain hilly land not fully utilized for grazing. Low- 

 priced land and low-priced feed furnish the best combination 

 for profitable sheep production. This applies both to raising 

 lambs and sheep, and to fattening feeders. 



Diagram of side of mutton showing position of different cuts. 

 Note amount of leg and loin. 



Stocking the farm. As indicated in a previous chapter, 

 farm animals may either be raised on the farm or bought for 

 feeding purposes. Either plan may be followed in sheep 

 production, but the former, perhaps, is the most desirable 

 for most farms. 



Raising sheep on the farm. The kind of sheep to raise, 

 getting a start, equipment, feeding, general care, and market- 

 ing are important matters to be considered in raising sheep 

 on a farm. The kind of farm best suited to profitable pro- 

 duction has already been considered in this chapter. But 

 level farms entirely under cultivation, like the typical prairie 

 farms of Illinois, have produced sheep profitably when com- 

 bined with other stock production. 



