SHKKP OX XKW KXliLAND FARMS. 



17 



CARE OF SHEEP IN NEW ENGLAND. 



IMPORTANCE OF GOOD CARE. 



Judging from the experiences and observations of the growers in- 

 cluded in this stiuVy, it would appear that care is the most important 

 factor bearing upon the profitableness of the sheep business in New 

 England, and its bearing upon several sources of loss has already 

 heeu touched upon. Excepting possibly disease, which is to a large 

 extent avoidable, it is believed that more losses in the sheep business 

 are due to lack of good care and feed than to any other one tiling. 

 Although sheep may be said to function to some extent as scav- 

 engers — and too many make the mistake of feeding on the assumption 

 that sheep can thrive eating weeds and cleaning up fence rows and 

 wastelands — like any other animals they must have good care if 

 good results are to be expected from them. 



The requisites of good care for sheep 1 may be briefly enumerated 

 as follows: Plenty of wholesome feed at all times; dry quarters, good 

 ventilation, and an opportunity to exercise while being stabled: and 

 close attention at lambing time. Occasional inspection and regular 

 dipping is also essential to insure freedom from lice, ticks, and skin 

 diseases. 



SUMMER FEEDS. 



As to feeds, in most cases sheep in New England require during 

 the summer months nothing but good pasture. In the more favored 

 sections of Xew England, where natural grazing land (see fig. 2) 



Flu. 2. — Sheep grazing on a luxuriant bluegfass pasture in Vermont. Such pastures, 

 which are the exception rather than the rule in New England, do not need to be 

 supplemented with forage crops until late in the season, and sometimes carry the 

 breeding stock through the entire pasture season without supplementary pasture. 



1 The care of the farm flock is fully discussed in Farmers' Bulletin 84(1, which is obtain- 

 able upon request from the Department of Agriculture. 



