244 managemp:nt and feeding of sheep 



During the summer the ewes were grazed largely on 

 sown pastures, such as winter rye, rape, peas and oats, 

 cabbage, and even sorghum, along with a limited amount 

 of grass pastures. They were so grazed because of the 

 absence of enough of grass pasture. When the grass 

 pasture was entirely lacking, which happened in some in- 

 stances, hay was fed. In winter the ewes that were nurs- 

 ing their lambs were fed hay or good corn fodder, a liberal 

 supply of grain, and also of field roots. The lambs were 

 also encouraged to take grain and roots as soon as they 

 would take such food. It was found that some of the 

 ewes of the first cross produced lambs sufficiently early. 

 A large proportion of those of the second cross or gener- 

 ation did so, while those of the third generation practi- 

 cally all produced winter lambs. Only a small per cent 

 of the ewes were discarded because of breeding too late 

 in the season. Moreover, it was found that some of the 

 ewes would take service earlier than was desired, if al- 

 lowed to do so. In some instances lambs were produced 

 in October. Some of these, too large to take the market 

 as milk lambs at the proper season, weighed as much as 

 80 to 90 pounds when sold in February. It was also 

 found that lambs obtained from grade Dorset ewes and 

 dark-faced sires, especially of the Southdown breed, were 

 more in favor with the dealers than those from Dorset sires. 



Other than Dorset sires — When the supply of dams 

 becomes sufficiently numerous, other than Dorset sires 

 may be used should this be desired. The advantage from 

 using them would be the production of lambs with supe- 

 rior mutton form. When such a result could not be 

 looked for with a considerable degree of confidence, it 

 should not be attempted. The reference thus made to the 

 use of other sires does not imply that the Dorset is not 

 possessed of good mutton form, but that some breeds may 

 be somewhat superior to them in this respect. When no 

 improvement would result from change in the breed from 

 which the sires are chosen, it should not be made. 



