200 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Here again we shall bring up the middle-wool sheep to start 

 with, as being the safest to invest in, applying the same reason 

 which I have given before, — in case the mutton meets with a 

 hard market the pelt will help make up the loss. While the 

 middle-wool sheep can be purchased at a fair price, the large, 

 coarse-svool, mutton sheep demand fancy prices, and we have 

 the mutton alone on which to depend, which has for the past 

 two or three years, sold no higher nor met with no quicker 

 market than the medium grade sheep, whose weiglit is about 

 one hundred pounds. Sheep intended for stall-feeding should 

 not be allowed to run out late in the fall ; just as soon as they 

 stop gaining they begin to lose, and if allowed to run two or 

 three weeks it will take till mid-winter to bring them up again, 

 thus losing the most essential part of the winter for fattening. 

 Another thing very essential is that they be penned off in small 

 lots of say twenty each, that they be graded, separating the 

 larger from the smaller ones, that each one may get his due 

 allowance of feed, and not be overpowered and robbed by the 

 stronger ones, some getting too much, while others get but 

 little ; thus the flock comes out very uneven, many being unfit 

 for market, and finally are sold for less than their value. The 

 rule for feeding, which I have adopted after trying different 

 ways, is : The first thing in the morning sweep the racks per- 

 fectly clean and feed with grain. After this feed twice with 

 good hay. After this is consumed, fill the racks with second 

 quality of hay or good oat straw and then keep entirely away 

 until feeding time at night, when the refuse is thrown under 

 their feet, which serves as bedding, and then go over with the 

 same procedure as before. The more quiet they are kept the 

 faster they will fat. 



Another very important item : What kind of grain can be 

 fed to ensure the greatest profit ? This is a question which 

 experiment must prove. All other things being equal, I believe 

 it is generally conceded by experienced feeders, that corn alone 

 cannot be fed with safety unless great care is taken in the com- 

 mencement. It is too heating — liable to impair the physical 

 organs and thus unfit the sheep for fatting. The English feed 

 for fatting sheep consists of cotton seed and turnips. They 

 claim that it will put on the most fat, is the safest feed, makes 

 the lie^t mutton at a less cost, and produces the best and strongest 



