114 A COUNTRY READER. 



the crop, with little or no waste, and at the same 

 time they tread down and manure the land with 

 great uniformity. 



On the heavier and richer land better use can 

 be made of the large and heavy roots, that such 

 land grows, than to fold sheep on them. These 

 roots are stored for the winter, chopped up, and 

 given to the live stock, mixed with corn and 

 cake and chopped hay and oat straw. 



When roots are given in this manner they are 

 cut up by a cutter. The trouble and expense 

 of cutting them up is well repaid, because the 

 animals eat up the slices without waste and with 

 less fatigue to themselves. 



It is a bad plan to feed sheep only on turnips, 

 because turnips are a very watery food. Every 

 10 Ibs. of turnips contain 9 Ibs. of water. 



Therefore, for sheep to get enough solid food 

 from turnips, they are compelled to eat a larger 

 bulk of food than they require. 



Remember that the great principle in fattening 

 all animals is to give such food that, while keep- 

 ing them healthy, w^ill be turned into the best 

 quality of bone and meat with as little exertion to 

 the digestive organs of the animal itself as possible. 



Therefore, if the animal takes in with its food 

 too much w^ater, as sheep do when they are 

 trying to satisfy their appetites on turnips alone, 

 an enormous amount of energy on the part of 



