THE MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP ON THE FARM. on 
condition of the sheep. Disease or a change in condition are reflected 
in a weak place in the fiber, known as a “‘break.’’ The same causes 
may effect a lack of luster in the wool, with the accompanying dead 
appearance that is undesirable. 
An abrupt change of feed may cause sheep to lose their wool. For 
instance, sheep that have been raised upon grass, if fed a heavy grain 
ration without having gradually become accustomed to it, may shed 
their fleeces. 
FEEDS. 
It is practically impossible to give a definite feeding value to any 
particular feed. The value varies widely under different conditions. 
A certain feed will give quite different results when fed in connection 
with other feeds than when fed by itself. It may serve excellently 
as a partial ration, while it is altogether unsatisfactory for a total 
one. It may be rich in carbohydrates and fats, for instance, but 
lacking in protein, which is equally essential. 
The digestibility of a feed is also influenced by the other ingredients 
of the ration, and this might affect its feeding value. Again, a feed 
may be too dense or too bulky, too dry or contain too much water to 
be suitable alone. 
Neither is it practical to advise the particular kinds of feed, unless 
acquainted with local conditions. In the Middle West corn can 
often be fed profitably to a greater extent than elsewhere, because the 
transportation charges are unimportant. The same might be true 
of the cottonseed products of the South. Thus it is evident that the 
economy of a feed varies with the locality. However, there are 
certain groups of feeds some of which are essential for the best results 
with sheep. It is worth while mentioning these groups, leaving it 
to each farmer to select those particular ones best suited to his own 
conditions. 
ROUGHAGE. 
For roughage alfalfa, alsike, red-clover, cowpea, and similar hays 
are undoubtedly superior. Feeding tests in various parts of the 
country indicate that there is little difference in value between these 
forages, all of them giving excellent results. Corn stover, nonlegu- 
minous hays, and the various straws have been fed, in many cases 
with good results. Quite often these may profitably form a portion 
of the ration, but as a sole roughage they are inferior to the legumes. 
Timothy hay and millet are undesirable roughage for sheep; the 
former causes constipation and the latter often produces scouring. 
“METHODS OF FEEDING. 
It is hardly necessary to say that there is less waste when roughage 
is fed in racks rather than upon the ground. When fed in the latter 
way much of it is trampled upon and soiled and the sheep then refuse 
to eat it. 
