230 MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 



cattle, because on the tips of the panicles are usually found 

 unripe grains, and oats are cut before they are fully ripe. 

 Barley straw has, on account of its moisture, and short pe- 

 riod of vegetation, a high value as fodder, and other things 

 being equal, is as nutritious as oat straw, if it were not, as is the 

 case, fully ripe before reaping. Yet it is more liable to in- 

 jure than oat straw, because it imbibes more moisture from 

 the air and soil. 



" 3. Straw of summer wheat, summer speltz, and summer 

 rye, for fodder, stands after oat and barley straw. 



"4. The stalk of maize or Indian corn contains much sac- 

 charine matter, and therefore is very nutritious, used fine, and 

 agreeable to all kinds of cattle. The cobs, after the corn 

 has been taken off, ground up, are likewise a very nutritious 

 fodder, and the hard stalks may be chopped up for the pur- 

 pose. Taking all these things into view, it stands next to 

 the straw of summer rye in value as fodder. 



" 5. Millet straw has a hard stalk, but contains at least as 

 much nutriment as the winter straws. 



" 6. Buckwheat, on account of its quantity on a field of less 

 fertility, and if of fine stalk, in which its value as fodder 

 from its straw being rich with leaves, is enhanced, is as 

 good as the straw of winter grain. 



" 7. Bea?i straw, in case its leaves have not fallen off or 

 decayed, and the ends of the stalk are green when it is cut, 

 as many experiments have shown, is more valuable than gen- 

 erally supposed." 



Observations naturally suggested by a review of the tables 

 of feeding, as well as some comments on German manage- 

 ment of sheep in general will be found in the succeeding 

 chapter. 



FATTENING. 



As an introduction to the subject, the following interesting 

 observations by Mr. Spooner will be considered very appo- 

 site : — 



" Though in many countries the principal value of sheep 

 is to be attributed to their woolly covering, yet in this coun- 

 try (Great Britain), for some years past, the flesh has been 

 the greatest source of profit, and the carcase, therefore, the 

 paramount consideration. 



" This has naturally led the attention of breeders to the 

 consideration of what particular breed has the most aptitude 



