192 
STATE AGRICULTUKAL SOCIETY, 
the effect will be perceived for a whole day afterward; and no 
other reason can I assign for the forty sheep in the upper part 
of shed No. 1, doing better than the rest, but that we never go 
there except to feed, water, litter, etc., and there is no passing 
or re-passing through them as through other pens. 
The question is frequently asked, “ What kind of grain is 
best for fattening sheep ?'’ I answer, for me, corn is the best 
for the main feed, although I like a few oats mixed to start 
with, and have no objections to beans, peas and oil-meal if 
they do not cost too much. Whenever they cost as much or 
more than corn, I dispense with them, as a sheep-feeder must 
count his cost as well as his reputation, if he intends to suc¬ 
ceed. Another question arises : “Do you find whole or ground 
feed best ?” For horses, cattle and pigs I prefer ground feed, 
but for sheep, especially fattening sheep, I choose whole or 
unground feed. I find that the sheep will grind it just as well 
as the mill to which we must give every tenth bushel, besides 
having the trouble of hauling the grain to and- from it. I also 
find that fat sheep will hold up to their feed much better, 
especially in soft weather, on whole than on ground feed ; con¬ 
sequently drawing grain to and from the mill, and paying toll, 
is, in my estimation, labor and money lost. 
A person to succeed in sheep-feeding, must do it because he 
likes to do it—because he prefers to feed sheep and see them 
eat, to any other business done in winter; and although he 
‘ may not be able or willing to do the work himself, still he 
must take delight in seeing it well attended, to, if he expects 
to prosper. He should be sure to see every sheep he has, at 
least once a day, when, if he understands his business, he ca)i 
tell at a glance whether they have been properly cared for. 
It is asked, “ What kind of hay is best for sheep?” Em¬ 
phatically I say clover, but it should be cut early and cured 
nice and green. Timothy is probably best for horses, but for 
cattle and sheep I prefer clover, and would rather have a ton 
of nice green fine clover than a ton of timothy, although in 
market one ton of timothy will bring as much as two of clover. 
I have sometimes fed some timothy hay to my sheep, but 
