349 



\VIM-I:K MA\AGEMB.\T AND FOOD. She. p ..hould bo 



. ,MO wintrr quarters soon after the severe frosts oc- 



:id materially impair its nu- 



They ought also to be removed from the 



- lands before the} !.<> rprrmanen.. d by the 



rain-, as I hey will injuriously affect their comtbrt and health ; 



and it is equally objectionable from their poaching the sod. 



If the number be large when brought to the yards, they must 



i!y divided into Hocks of 50 to 100, according to the 



of tin- \ards and >heds. The young and feeble must be 



>epa rated from tlie others, and the ailing ones placed by them- 



elves ; and that no one may sutler from the others, all should 



be classed as uniformi\ ;i- po -!')!; a to strength. The 



yards \\\>\<i be dry, well supplied with a trough of fresh water, 



and with comfortable sheds to which they can retire when 



they <!;. ose. 



tSiiKLTERs in northern climates are indispcnable to profita- 

 ble sheep-raising, and in every latitude north of the Gulf of 

 M \ico, they would be advantageous. There is policy as 

 well as humanity in the practice. An animal eats much less 

 when thus protected ; he is more thrifty, less liable todisease, 

 and bis manure is richer and more abundant. The feeding 

 may be done in the open yard in clear weather, and under 

 cover in severe storms. The shelters for sheep are variously 

 constructed, to suit the taste or circumstances of the fleck- 

 master. A sheep-barn built upon a side hill will a fiord two 

 floors; one underneath, surrounded by three sides of wall and 

 opening to the south, with sliding or swinging doors to guard 

 against storms ; and another overhead, if the floors are made 

 perfectly tight, with gutters to carry off the urine; and suffi- 

 cient storage for the fodder may be made by scaffolds. Or 

 they may be constructed with 12 or 15 feet posts on level 

 ground, allowing them to occupy the lower part, with the fod- 

 der stored above. In all ca?es however, thorough ventilation 

 should be provided, for of the two evils of exposure to cold 

 or too great privation of air, the former is to be preferred. 

 SSie-p cannot long endure c'ose confinement without injury. 

 In all ordinary weather, a shed closely boarded on three sides, 

 with a clo^e roof, is sufficient protection, especially if the 

 open side is shielded from bleak winds, or leads into a well 

 enclosed yard. If the apartment above is used for storage, 

 the floors should be made tight, that no hay, chaff or dust can 

 fall upon the fleece. 



