WINTER MANAGEMENT. 249 



The hay given them should be of fine stalk, and of the 

 choicest quality ; but in its place may be substituted once or 

 twice a week, for a single foddering, oat or barley straw. 

 If the lambs are thus provided through the winter, and have 

 the benefit of warm shelters, their size at shearing time will 

 equal the majority of'two-year olds, whose treatment has 

 been only ordinary. 



TWO-YEAR OLDS. 



The class of sheep thus designated refers to those passing 

 into their second year ; therefore they require extra attea- 

 tions, on account of not having yet attained their maturity. 

 The quantity of food they need is quite as much as will suf- 

 fice for mature sheep, which proceeds from that law of na- 

 ture, when the animal is growing, the dead parts of the sys- 

 tem thrown ofi" are not in the ratio of increase of the living 

 parts, demanded for the development of size ; and to effect 

 this, additional food is necessaty. Here is the reason why 

 animals are stunted— the food given them was only equal to 

 the natural waste, whereas, an extra quantity was needed 

 not only for this, but an extension of the system and its va- 

 rious organs. When animals become matured, this exten- 

 sion or growth ceases, and the waste parts a«d the new for- 

 mations are equal, when adequately provided with food. 



It will be proper, therefore, to make provision for this 

 ckss, and especially the ewes, approximating that of lambs. 

 The measure of grain, however, must be determined by cir- 

 cumstances ; if they have attained good size, and the season 

 has been favorable for the accumulation of flesh, a less 

 quantity will be required. Let them have pine or hemlock 

 brouse, which has a very salubrious tendency with sheep, 

 cut apples, or potatoes, and also pea, oat, barley, or wheat 

 straw once or twice a week. They should have a variety, 

 at all events. 



BREEDING EWES. 



This portion of the flock demand no especial attention 

 beyond a full measure of food, until the approach of spring. 

 The course of management then will depend on the time of 

 yeaning, which, if fixed for the month of April, they will re- 

 quire a large measure daily through March of potatoes, for the 

 assimilation of milk. In addition, nothing better can be sup- 

 plied them than a half pint each of wheat shorts, mixed with a 



