The Breeding and Feeding of Sheej). 625 
money Is., 5 per cent, of loss, about 2s., and we have a total of 65s. 
wliicli represents a full value for carcase and wool. If we made a 
similar calculation for breeding sheep, the return would apparently be 
much greater ; but if the greater risk which attends it be taken into 
consideration, it is very doubtful whether, apart from the growth of 
com, even breeding sheep would return a living profit. Moreover, we 
know that there is a limit to the extent to which we can stock and 
crop land ; therefore, if we regard the subject in all its bearings, it is 
clear that on arable land we cannot profitably abandon the gi'owth of 
cereals. We may possibly so alter our system as to have com less 
fi-equently on the same grotmd; but such alteration must be made 
with a view to an increased produce per acre. The point, then, to 
which I would draw your attention, is to a more economical system of 
feeding sheep, especially breeding-sheep, so as to increase the returns, 
and at the same time leave the land in better condition for com. This 
result would, I believe, be effected by reducing the quantity of roots, 
and using more dry food, such as straw, in combination with a small 
quantity of artificial food, which will act as a stimulus to digestion. 
By these means we shall have the land in a much richer condition for 
com, because the sheep will take a much longer time to consume a 
certain weight of roots, and the animals will be in a better condition. 
It is calculated by Morton and others that a breeding ewe will con- 
sume one-fom-th of its live weight of turnips, or 20 lbs. to 30 lbs. a- 
day, of which nine-tenths is water. This food dui-ing winter is often 
very little above freezing point, and it follows that much heat will be 
absorbed, and consequently food wasted, in raising this volume of 
water to the temperatm-e of the animal's body. By water within, and 
often water without, the temperature of the body must be greatly re- 
duced, and we are not surprised that with such an unscientific mode of 
feeding the animal cannot maintain its condition, and is unable to 
minister to the wants of the foetus. The latter is often chilled, and 
bom dead, especially from young ewes in a wet season. Now, if we 
can reduce the quantity of roots one-half, and substitute an eqiiivalent 
in the form of straw and condimental food, at the same time attending 
to the external comfort of the animal, we shall have achieved a great 
point. The land will be doubly manm-ed, straw will be made more of 
than when trodden solely into manure, and a greatly increased number 
of sheep can be kept upon a given weight of roots. It is only of late 
years that the feeding value of straw has been ascertained or believed 
in, and even now there are many who consider it only fit to be trodden 
into manure. That the quality of straw varies much according to the 
nature and condition of the soil, and more according to the way in 
which it is harvested, no one will dispute ; but there is abundance of 
evidence to show that when cut comparatively green, and carefully 
managed, many kinds of straw are exceedingly nutritious. This is a 
truth which the tables before you sufficiently illustrate ; but fui-ther, 
from personal experience, I am fully convinced that good straw may be 
economically substituted for hay ia the winter feeding of sheep, even 
mthout any artificial food, though the cost of the latter, as I tmst 
to be able to show, is so slight that it can be economically employed. 
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