342 



THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 



The propriety of tying up horses in stables was 

 noticed, and approved ot by some, but disapprov- 

 ed by others, who considered horses did belter in 

 well-sheltered yards ; but all agreed that stables 

 ought to be well ventilated. 



The resolution conveys the general opinions of 

 the meeting. 



Resolution. — The subject having been fully 

 considered, the impression of this meeting is, ihat 

 oats or bean-meal, and a due proportion of hay 

 and straw, cut into chatf, with hay or clover in 

 the rack, is the best plan that can be generally 

 adopted. That a proportion of roots may also be 

 given in the spring, to economize the provender; 

 but that great latitude should be given, as circum- 

 stances are so very ditierent with many feeders, 

 that what would be an economical plan with one, 

 might be the reverse with another; individuals 

 must act, therefore, according to the situations in 

 which they may be placed. As lew farmers 

 appear to have taken the pains to ascertain ihe 

 exact quantity of food used per horse per week 

 on the average, it is recommended that a statis- 

 tical account of the quantity, quality, and average 

 price of the food of a horse, lor a given time, 

 shall be kept by horse feeders, so as to come to a 

 clear general estimate of the expense. 



Eighth monthly meeting, November I3th. — The 

 show of roots took place this eveninir, with a 

 very full attendance of members. The roots 

 were generally large and of superior quality, and 

 attracted much aneniion. The judges — Mr. S. 

 Robinson, of Ilenstead ; Mr. K,. More, of Leis- 

 ton ; and Mr. John Cooper, of Wesileton — 

 awarded the prizes of the dilierent sweepstakes 

 to the following gentlemen : — 



Red or purple beet, Mr. John Tillott, Wissett ; 

 yellow beet, Mr. Freeman, Heiihara ; Swedish 

 turnips, Mr. John 'J'illoit, Wissett ; while pudding 

 tui^ip, Mr. James Johnson, Halesworlh ; white 

 iJoaf turnip, Mr. A. Carman, Wissett. 



The judges after clearly explaining the grounds 

 of their decisions in regard to the comparative 

 merits of the different roots exhibited Ibr prizes, 

 congratulated the meeting on their very superior 

 size and quality, particularly as the season had 

 been so unlavorable to the root crop in general. 

 They also called the attention of the meeting to 

 some very superior roots which several gentlemen 

 had kindly sent to the show, although not candi- 

 dates for the sweepstakes. The judges also went 

 into the comparative merits of the different kinds 

 of roots, their fattening properties, and their sui- 

 tableness lor particular soils. Among beet, the 

 old red with a green top, the ram's horn, bullock's, 

 and the yellow, were mentioned as worthy of par- 

 ticular attention by the farmer. White pudding 

 lurnip on light soils, for early feeding, and pur'- 

 ple pudding, for late leeding, were especially re- 

 commended. 



A vote of thanks was given to the judges for 

 their services, and the evening passed off with 

 great satisfaction to all. 



Ninth monthly meeting, December llth. — Sub- 

 ject — On the different kinds of sheep ; — those con- 

 sidered to yield the largest profit ; — and the man- 

 ner of breeding and feeding, as applicable to this 

 district.''^ — The member who introduced the sub- 

 ject considered that, as respects the particular 

 breed of sheep, every thing must depend on the 

 soil as regards choice; lor the kind of sheep suit- 



ed to one kind of land, would not pay on land of a 

 contrary description. For example: Soulhdowns 

 are suited to heaihS; and the Norlblk sheep are a 

 very valuable kind on light soils. It tiad been 

 contended by many, that heavy lands are not cal- 

 culated for stieep ; but by fofding sheep in yards, 

 ihey may be kept to great advantage on larms of 

 this description. 



In the leeding of sheep, as a general rule, the 

 better they are kept, and the more carefully ihey 

 are attended to, the belter they pay. Sheep re- 

 quire great care, particularly in dry summers, 

 when Uiey sutler much irom heat, flies, and also 

 Irom warn, of water, with which, at such limes, 

 they should be carefully suppliedj as the grass is 

 not succulent enough to afford itiem a sufllci- 

 ency of moisture. Tne popular notion, tliat 

 sheep require no water, is a very erroneous one, 

 and lias led to much loss in dry seasor;s. 



A cross between a Norlolk and Southdown, and 

 between a Down and Leicester, he considered as 

 amongst the most valuable breeds for this district. 

 Anotlier gentleman, ol great experience as a 

 breeder, allowed ilial tl:iese ciosses were tine 

 sheep, out not equal to the pure Down for this 

 part of the cuuniiy. lioih these crosses consum- 

 ed more lood in proportion than the Down. Great 

 errors Irequently prevailed in regard to superior 

 size ; the rule ougtit to be taken in respect lo the 

 expense of rearing and the expense of food of the 

 different breeds, and under this view the Down 

 was the most valuable sheep. 



In leeding sheep, great care should be taken 

 that they are not sutijecied to frequent and sud- 

 den changes Irom a rich diet to a poor one; and 

 theconiraiy, hom a poor to a lull diet; as these 

 changes have occasioned great losses. Rock salt 

 is must valuable in preventing lot and oiher dis- 

 eases 10 which sheep are subject. In the use of 

 turnips as a food, the rule ougnt to be to clean and 

 cut ifiem, as ihey go much further by this plan, 

 and do not scour ilie sheep, which dirty roots are 

 apt to do. Folding on pastures and liseding with 

 corn, is an excelleni"plan. Folding in yards is ob- 

 jectionable, as liable to cause foot-rot ; lor though 

 fess lood is consumed, yet the sheep do not in- 

 crease in weight in proportion to the quantity of 

 food consumed. Crosses are objectionable to breed 

 from ; pure-blooded sheep are decidedly preferable, 

 as crosses soon become deteriorated. 



Alter these gentlemen had given their opinions, 

 a most interesiing discussion took place amongst 

 the members present, as to the advantages and 

 disadvantages of the various breeds — the best me- 

 thod of keeping them through the year — the num- 

 ber of sheep which can be ftept upon a larm of a 

 certain acreage, &c. Upon these and other 

 points, several members, particularly the gentle- 

 men who iniroduced the subject, debated with 

 great spirit, and supported their respective views 

 with great ability. The meeting ultimately came 

 (o the Ibllowing resolution. 



Resolution. — The subject, — "On the different 

 kinds of sheep, — manner of breeding and feeding, 

 as confined to this district, — and the breed of 

 sheep generally considered to yield the largest 

 profit," having been lully discussed, and having 

 excited much interest, the members present con- 

 sidered that the breeds calculated lo aflord the 

 most profit in this district, both in wool and car- 

 case, are the half-bred Norfolk and Southdown, 



