GROWING AND FITTING SHEEP FOR EXHIBITION 275 



tion should be reduced about one-half and the oilcake in 

 it should also be proportionately reduced. The following 

 grain mixture will be very suitable : Oats 50 per cent, bran 

 25, corn or peas 20 and oilcake 5. They should have a 

 liberal supply of fodder and roots, and if the season will 

 admit of it more or less of grazing. 



When the winter closes in they should be given 

 enough grain to result in the maintenance of good flesh. 

 Until grazing comes in the spring the following grain 

 food should serve the purpose : Oats and wheat bran, 

 in the proportions of 3 and 2 parts by weight. The sup- 

 ply of roots should be most liberal until the arrival of 

 grazing, after which it may be reduced and then discon- 

 tinued for a time. 



The grazing may consist of such green food as may 

 be in season, as blue grass, clover or rape. During the 

 first half of the grazing season, or even for a longer period, 

 they may be given access to the grazing for a considerable 

 time, morning and evening, but later and toward the show 

 season, access to the grazing for one hour or two in the 

 evening will give them enough exercise. Some green food 

 fed inside may also be advantageous. The following 

 grain ration will answer nicely during the grazing season 

 until the final forcing period begins. 



The forcing period should cover from two to three 

 months preceding the fair season. The following grain 

 ration along with others that may be given, will suffice : 

 Oats 50 per cent, bran 15, corn or peas 25 and wheat 10. 

 When on full feed from two to three pounds should be 

 fed daily. More corn or peas should be added if neces- 

 sary as the season approaches for entering the show ring. 

 The feeding of roots in the autumn and also of fodders 

 may be conducted as in the case of the lambs. 



Shearling wethers to be shown are housed rather 

 than grazed; that is, they are housed to the extent of 

 remaining in the sheds at night and during all the warm 

 portion of the day. The requisites to provide them with 



