SHEEP AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 205 



been almost exclusively directed to the management 

 of the (Spanish sheep, in all their various grades, as 

 found in this country 



Many plans have been recommended, rules have 

 been prescribed, maxims laid down, and the requi- 

 site quantities of food stated, for maintaining sheep 

 in a thriving and good condition. But all these can 

 only be understood relatively, for we must take the 

 size of the animal into consideration ; and it should 

 be borne in mind, that a large sheep requires more 

 food than a small one, and that a sheep which gives 

 five or six pounds of wool must consume more than 

 one which gives but three pounds. 



These facts lead to a consideration which has re- 

 ceived little or no attention from the great mass of 

 our farmers who keep sheep, namely : 



The influence or effect of feed on the quantity and 

 quality of the wool and carcass : 



It may be laid down as a rule, that two pounds of 

 good "hay, or its equivalent in grain, roots, and straw 

 per day, fed regularly at three different times, are 

 sufficient for a grown sheep of the Merino family, 

 producing three pounds of fine wool, provided it en- 

 ters upon its winter keep healthy and in good condi- 

 tion. For breeding ewes, or a larger race of sheep, 

 this quantity would not be sufficient ; while for a 

 race by nature small and weak, it would be more 

 than they require, and, if fed to them, would greatly 

 diminish the quality of the wool, though it should in- 

 crease its quantity. 



Farmers in Germany generally allow their sheep 

 an average of from one and three fourths to two 

 pounds of hay daily (including the whole flock), and 

 their sheep are vigorous, healthy, and in good condi- 

 tion, with the best of wool. Others allow them one 

 and a half pounds daily, and they do not suffer with 

 this quantity, but are healthy and rather thriving ; 

 still they do not yield so much wool, nor is the car- 

 cass so heavy ; while others -again, through ill-ad- 



