The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-12-09
AGRICULTURAL.
SHELTER FOR SHEEP.

SHELTER FOR SHEEP.
Every one has, perhaps, heard Of the man
whose roof remained unrepaired, to the per
petual detriment Of all dry articles and sound
lungs within dOors-because, when it rained
he could not repair it, and when the weather
was iaIr, he did not need the repair. For a
similar reason, many nocks OF sheep pass
year after year unprotected, because shelters
are not needed in the summer and cannot be
made in the depth Of winter. To induce
owners of sheep to adopt an improvement,
and provide, in time, suitable shelter for their
iocks, we wish TO state few facts in the
case.
Lewis A. Morrell, of Tompkins county, N.
l., before he had provided shelter for his
flock OF Saxon sheep, (l20O in number) lost
from ~ TO 100 during the winter, and once
lost l5D. For the four success. we wears after
protection, 1.-THE average number wintercd be-
ing loOO,) the average yearly loss amounted
to only 81, being less than 81 per cent
j. W. Childers, of the English Acrlcultu-
raj Society, brought his sheep to shelter a.
bout Christmas, and found that they did not
eat so much as when exposed, by the proper
ton of five to three. When in the field, his
ilock required fifty baskets full Of turnips
day; but when sheltered, they needed only
thirty day. yet such great progress"
said he, ibid they make, that YOU thought
they had been eating fifty baskets day, when
shut up, and only thirty when in the Geld'-
In another experiment, which as accompa-
MED by accurate weighing and measuring,
where turnips aud oil-cake diminished about
one-third; while the increase of weight re-
sulting from shelterwas more than one-third
The editor Of the English Agricultural Ga
zettc inferred from actual experiments, per-
formed by himself. that twice as MANY sheen
might be kept in fatting condition on the
same quantity of food under perfect shelter.
as under entire exposure. If these results
were obtained in the mild climate uf Eng
land, " hat may not be expected in our severe
wintcrsl
l.. a. Morrell is satisfied that at least ono
ton OF hay 10 the hundred sheep is saved by
protection, every winter. ''Of oats. W hiCh /
fed literally before protection. the amount
saved is equivalent to five hundred bushels
each year, and yet my sheep have been in
better order than when they were grained ;
showing, notwithstanding the virtue of grain,
That there Is more virtue in a warm shelter
The same successful manager has also found
that the aggregate increase in four clips OF
wool from his flock. resulting from the protec-
tIon' amounted to 1850 pounds; aud that the
increased number Of lambs exceeded one
hundred wear.
In view Of these facts, we wish every farm
or to make a calculation Of the whole amoum
of food thus saved every winter. the increas,
in the weight Of his sheep, the saving of life
the increase OF wool, and the increase in The
number of his flock
Ii 1t will cost one dollar per head to winte
sheep By the ordinary way. then to winie
1000 would cost $1,000
One third of this saved would he S;:S3;
The difference in loss by winterins. ac-
| cordins to Mr.. Morrell, would be a.
bout fifty sheep, which, at 50 each,
would amount TO IOt
Putting the increased value Of the sheep
by increase Of weight, at operenth
the value Of The flock, COZ
Increase in the fleeces. say 160lbs. Sc
Increase in lambs, say 60 81
S74a
Equal to the total saving, every year, by the
use OF suitable shelter, at very moderate es-
timaie, and which would abundanly pay foi
suitable sheds, iithey required erecting every
year.-Al5aEy CHLiirator.