14 Sheep-Farming 



generously, and afford good ventilation. Indeed, in 

 the latitude of the Ohio valley and farther south, 

 many flocks run in the fields throughout the year. 

 The writer believes, however, that north of the Ohio 

 River, winter shelter should be provided, and that 

 when the weather has become severe the flock should 

 go into the stable and remain there throughout the 

 winter. It is the unsheltered feed-lot in latitudes 

 of winter rains that are a source of aggravation to 

 the sheep feeder ; then they are such a channel of 

 loss of plant food as not to be tolerated. When sheep 

 are turned out of the barn, it is better that they should 

 go at once to the field, preferably a good blue grass 

 sod. This applies to regions of Avinter rains. Far- 

 ther north, where snows prevail throughout the 

 winter, the open feed-lot is in favor. For many years, 

 the writer has practiced putting his flocks in barns 

 at the approach of winter and not turning them out 

 again until the grass has made a good growth in the 

 spring. This is with ewes that yean in the fall or 

 early winter. Ewes of the smaller breeds should 

 have at least ten square feet of floor space per head, 

 better more, and the larger breeds fifteen. With 

 abundant provision for ventilation, this is suflBcient. 

 The windows should be hinged at the bottom and have 

 casing so made that they may swing in at the top. 

 The doors should be made in upper and lower sec- 

 tions so that the upper can be kept open except when 

 it is necessary to close it against storms. Mature 



