37 
J. J. McAllister’s Statement. 
“Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y., January 24tli, 1854. * 
“ Dear Sir, 
“I have been for several years more or less engaged in the breeding 
and management of sheep. Last season I had on my farm over two 
hundred and fifty ewes; thirty of which were Spanish Merinos, pure 
blood, and the residue one-half and three-fourths French Merinos crossed 
with Spanish. They all received the same treatment as to feed, care, &c. 
“My flock of sheep was managed in the following manner, which is 
the method usually pursued by me, and which, from my experience, 
I consider the best: 
“They are kept in good pasture during the summer, with pure water 
and salt accessible at all times. 
“The Iambs are separated from their dams about the first of August, 
after which they are kept by themselves. I commence feeding my lambs 
about the 1st of October with shorts and oats, mixed half-and-half. I 
I give about half a gill per head daily, to put them in a condition for 
winter. 
“About the middle of October I commence feeding the ewes with the 
same mixture, giving about a gill per head daily. The feeding is con¬ 
tinued to both lambs and ewes till brought to the barn for winter: then 
if the condition of the sheep requires it, I increase the feed to one and 
one-half gill per day. When brought to the barn for winter, I divide 
them into flocks of from fifty to seventy-five, putting together those of 
nearly the same condition. This I consider very essential, as it enables 
me to graduate my feed better, and to supply it to those that require the 
most. It also relieves the feebler sheep from the necessity of struggling 
with the stronger. Occasionally, if circumstances require, during the 
winter I take from the hardier flocks the feeble and place them with 
those of like condition. To the more feeble I feed more daily, and gra¬ 
duate the feed as circumstances require. 
“ I have my yard so arranged, that each flock can find shelter under 
good dry sheds at all times. I have two racks for each flock, each rack 
sufficient to feed the whole flock at once, one under shelter and the other 
in the open air, at which they can feed according as the weather is 
