176 THE DOMESTIC SHEEP. 



contented. Thus it is always desirable to this end to have 

 a few dry ewes run with the lambs for company, when feed- 

 ing, the more so, as the time of separation from their dams 

 is short. 



Other experiments in feeding lambs go to show that the 

 selection of foods is a most important point. As for instance, 

 an equal number of ewes and lambs were selected as of 

 even weights, and quality, at the start. One lot was folded 

 on clover, the latter part of May, and given in addition cut 

 mangels and a small quantity of cut clover hay with the 

 cut roots. The lambs had the run of a good clover field 

 which they reached through the hurdles by which the ewes 

 were fenced off. The second lot ran at large on a white 

 clover pasture and their lambs run on good red clover. All 

 the lambs had a handful of peas once a day. In 28 days 

 the lambs of the ewes fed on the mangels gained 21 Ibs.; 

 the other lot gained 18 Ibs. This gain of 21 pounds in 28 

 days is a remarkable instance of successful feeding, and a 

 great recommendation of the root feeding. Mangels contain 

 a large proportion of sugar, and are very productive of milk 

 in both ewes and cows. 



When confinement appears irksome, something should 

 be done to alleviate the dissatisfaction of sheep, whether 

 young or old. Here is an instance of the result of dis- 

 liked confinement. An equal number of good lambs were 

 put into a field of turnips, and ifnclosed in movable hur- 

 dles. The same number of lambs of equal weight amd 

 age were put into a yard with warm shed attached to it, 

 and fed with roots from the field, and a liberal quantity 

 of grain. In eight weeks the lambs were weighed and the 

 lot outside in the field had gained an average of 13 Ibs.; the 

 other lot gained only 3 Ibs. each. This flock was conspicu- 

 ously restless, jumping the fence at every opportunity. 

 It is an example of the adage "a contented mind i^ a con- 

 tinual feast," and the shepherd, knowing how it is himself, 

 will take care to apply it to his flock. If the sheep desire 

 to stay out of a protecting shed, and are happy in their 

 choice, it is wise in the shepherd to let them have their 

 way, unless it is clearly against the safety of the sheep. 

 These sometimes called foolish animals know generally 

 enough to get in out of the rain when they so desire. 



