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of the sheep. I know that it is the custom to feed in large flocks, but I 
also know that it costs at least one-third more to bring all the sheep into 
good marketable condition than if fed in small lots, and were I to engage 
in fattening sheep I should divide them into flocks of ten rather than a 
larger number. The best age to fatten is, in coarse-wooled, at three years 
old, and fine-wooled at five. 
More care is required in wintering lambs than any other part of the 
flock. As soon as weaned, which with me is done at four months old, they 
should be put into good pasture, and early learned to eat grain, oats, 
peas, bailey, or even corn will do. Bat when bran can be obtained it is 
still better ; a very little will suffice them, and will be of great service in 
preparing for winter. In winter they should be kept by themselves, and 
have a dry warm shed and plenty of hay besides their grain. If linseed 
oil-cake be at hand, it makes an excellent feed for the lambs as well as tho 
fattening sheep. 
If stinted to the ram in December, the lambs will begin to drop in 
May. Care should be taken that the ewes are well attended during the 
lambing season. And when it is an object to keep a register of the flock, 
and the pedigree of the stock, the lamb should be marked with the num¬ 
ber of its dam, soon after it is dropped. It is a good plan to cut off their 
tails when not more than four weeks old. And if convenient all the lambs 
to be castrated, should have it done at as early a day as possible. 
Before turning the sheep out to pasture in the spring they should be 
tagged. It takes but little time if properly performed, and but little wool 
need be wasted. It is then a good time to examine the sheep and mark 
such as have desirable peculiarities, or the reverse. 
As soon as the weather and water get warm, it is well to wash the 
sheep. This may be done in a pool or running stream; but wherever 
done, the water should be clean, and great pains taken that the sheep 
are not injured in the handling. If the sheep be weak, the water should 
be sqeezed out of the fleece before they are let go. However, always 
Laving before him the word cake, the prudent farmer will require no 
advice in the details of manainno- his flock. 
O O 
Shearing should take place, if convenient, in about two weeks after 
washing. Sheep-shearing is always, and from time out of mind has 
always, been considered an important era. It is truly so to man and 
