T.] FATTING BEASTS. 



the ewes and lambs will be distressed in March 

 and April : whatever grass is now used on the farm, 

 will pay far better by sheep than by feeding at 

 present. The soil, however, must in some mea- 

 sure govern this distribution : for all lands that 

 are subject to floods, or that have a tender and 

 poaching surface, should be left quite bare before 

 the heavy autumnal rains come. The farmer's judg- 

 ment must be exercised in this, as in so many other 

 cases : dry sound soils answer best for kept rouen. 



Remember that beef is cheaper at Michaelmas 

 than at any time throughout the year ; for grass- 

 fed cattle are then at once brought to market : this 

 should give the attentive grazier an idea of varying 

 from the common method : to sell only a part of his 

 cattle at this time. 



In drawing off a lot or lots for sale, it is com-mon 

 to sell the fattest, and keep on the ill-doing ones 

 for further exertions. If the food provided be not 

 costly, this to a certain degree is admissible : but if 

 the beasts are for cake or corn ; or the quantity of 

 other food.rather limited, it is a very questionable 

 conduct. I would not give expensive food to beasts 

 which have proved themselves unthrifty, but on the 

 contrary, draw off for this purpose the most thriv- 

 ing ones in the lot : the contrary conduct: has often 

 been the reason why all winter fatting has been so 

 heavily condemned. The moment a grazier is well 

 convinced that he has a beast that is an ill-doer, 

 the first loss is the best, and he should get rid of 

 him as soon as he can. 



