394 Transactions of the American Institute. 



som falls. All other kinds of grass can be cut in bloom as -well as 

 any other time. True, it takes a little more labor and time to cure 

 it properly, but when it is cured the whole strength of the grass 

 is retained, and it will keep stock in as good condition in winter, 

 as when eating grass in summer, providing they are properly shel- 

 tered. 



HOW TO FEED A^'D FATTEN SHEEP FOR MARKET. 



Mr. A. G. Meiklejohn, of Putnam, Washington county, N. Y. — 

 Have your sheep as fat as possible — the fatter the better— by run- 

 ning in good feed in the fall; then put them up for winter in sheds 

 well ventilated, and not too warm, with suitable yards adjoining; 

 feed all the good hay they will eat, and they will improve in flesh; 

 and when within eight weeks of the time you wish to market them, 

 begin moderately, and feed corn, that they may not i)ecome cloved, 

 and in the course of eight weeks feed to each sheep about one 

 bushel of corn, or its equivalent, and your sheep, if properly fed 

 and managed, will be fat and full, ready for the shambles. Sheep 

 are fond of peas, which have the fattening quality, and give more 

 weight to the wool than corn; but if continually fed on them, may 

 make their gums sore. Oats may be used for a change. A little 

 salt, occasionally, will assist the appetite and prevent " stretches." 



GRAPTENQ WILD GRAPE-AaNES. 



Mr. N. B. Colton, New Liberty, Scott county, Iowa. — I have a 

 great many Avild gi'ape- vines on my farm, numbers of which were 

 well loaded with fruit last season. Would it not be a much cheaper 

 and quicker way to graft in some variety of tame ones? Would 

 you graft in the vine or root? Are there any varieties of tame 

 grapes that will survive the winter of Central Iowa, unprotected? 

 Will it do to cut grafts from vines that were laid down List fall, 

 as soon as they are taken up next spring? 



Mr. N. C. Meeker. — Such roots can be grafted by digging down 

 from four to six inches, as soon as the frost is well out of the 

 ground; make a cleft and insert two grafts, one on each side, so as 

 to be certain that one will grow. Cover up nicely, so as to leave 

 the grafts just above ground, and put stakes to prevent injury. 

 Any thrifty vine, and of last year's growth, will answer for grafts. 

 The Concord should do well. Mr. Smith, of Des Moines, has suc- 

 ceeded remarkably well with grapes, and that should settle the 

 question for Central Iowa. 



