ON LODGING, LITTER, &C. 27 



the seed, and finer parts of the fodder, which fall from 

 the racks, and which sheep would not eat, if mixed 

 with the litter and dung. These troughs are made 

 with scantling,(voliges,) six inches deep, twelve broad 

 on the top, and six on the bottom. When roots, 

 grain, and other things, which would pass through 

 the rack, are given, they are put into the troughs. 



Q. Is the dung of a home pen, as valuable as sta- 

 ble dung ? 



A. Dung, in the open air, is not liable to be heat- 

 ed, to grow white, or lose its strength, like stable 

 dung ; because the fogs, snow and rains keep it moist, 

 and make it a richer manure, than if it remained a 

 long time under cover. 



Q. Should sheep be always littered in the sheep 

 yard? 



A. As long as there is dung in the yard, litter is 

 necessary to prevent the sheep from lying in it, and 

 fouling their wool : but if all the litter be used, it will 

 be necessary, first to remove the dung, and afterwards 

 to sweep it every morning. This experiment has 

 been made at Montbard, for many years, upon a flock 

 without the use of litter ; but in this case, sand must 

 be put upon the yard, if the ground is not solid ; and a 

 quick descent should be given, for the water to run oft*. 



Q. Does the rain water, which washes the dung of 

 a sheep pen, impoverish the dung, when it runs off? 



A. This washing has been observed to diminish 

 the strength of the dung ; but it has been found to 

 have as much effect upon the land, as stable dung : 

 but in order to lose nothing, it is best to endeavour 



