LIVE-STOCK. 461 



they ought to be allowed access to a good shed during most of the 

 time while such storms prevail. Also, to prevent scours, caused by- 

 changing from dry feed to grass, let them have only a small quan- 

 tity of grass daily for several days at the close of the foddering sea- 

 son. Shear early, and without washing. 



— A run in a field from which early roots have been gathered 

 will be beneficial to the flock. It will help to accustom them to 

 the change of food which will soon be required. Small or imper- 

 fect roots may be left ungathered for them, which they will pick 

 up for themselves. Where early lambs are not desired, the rams 

 should be kept separate from the ewes, or, if it is not convenient, 

 the ram may be aproned or " bratted." 



— December is the most important month in the year, in this lati- 

 tude, to effect anything in improving sheep. Good protection from 

 storms and regular feeding are most important. It is better to com- 

 mence feeding lambs and all kinds of sheep a little grain daily in 

 December than to wait until they begin to lose flesh. 



Lambs. — The ewes should be coupled in October for March 

 Iambs. The best ewe is a common-grade Merino or native sheep. 

 For the earhest, those which come from Ohio or Western Pennsyl- 

 vania, weighing about ninety to one hundred pounds, are excellent 

 for this purpose. A pure South-Down ram, and next a Hampshire- 

 Down, and next a Cotswold, is the best animal to cross upon these. 

 A plump, fat lamb of moderate size will bring more than a "scraw- 

 ney"one half as big again. The black face and legs of the "Down" 

 breeds are desirable in market lambs. 



Oxen. — Feed workers a few quarts of meal every day, whether 

 they labor or not, as it will give them strength, make them endure 

 the heat better, and increase their market value more than the worth 

 of the meal. Provide teamsters with a soft leather lash and Ipriber 

 stock, with which they cannot strike a hard blow. 



— Feed in accordance with the labor demanded of them, but on 

 no account let them fall off in flesh. Oxen low in flesh are more 

 liable to meet with accidents than others, and if a poor lousy steer 

 breaks a leg, nobody wants the beef, and it is not fit to eat ; not so 

 with one in good condition. Young cattle ought not to be pamper- 

 ed, but well fed and kept in growing order. 



Working Oxen. — See that the yokes are right, and bows are not 

 so short as to choke them. Feed working cattle well and handle 

 them carefully, and they will grow fat every day, and be worth more 

 for beef next summer than they may be bought for now. Oxen 

 will endure the heat nearly as well as horses if fed as well and not 

 abused and worried by bad driving. Always allow them at least 



