The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-02-15
Agrltultaral.
Winter Management of Sheep.

SrocxSueuIp NOT RUN IN ruE FIELD-Why?
In travelling ever an area OF ten or fifteen
miles, an observing person can hardly help
noticing the different methods OF different
farmers in the winter management of stock,
more particularly sheep; and, ifpcrmitted To
form an opinion from observation, il would
De that nearly all agree upon one point,
(there are few honorable exceptions, how
everJ that is, Of letting them havo the range
ol the farm during the day. to pick up and
cat out by the roots what little grass there
was left on the ground in tho fall, practice
in my opinion, more injurious to the land
than any person would DO willing to admit.
1t is beneficial TO the sheep, yet contend
that it is injurious to them also.
Housx Your SHEER ALL WNTER.-From
NV own observation and experience, which
extends back over period of more than
TWENTY-FIVE years to my bOyhoOd days, am
satisfied that unless sheep can get a supply
of feed from the pastures sucililent TO keep
them in GOOD condition, with little grain,
IL /. far better to keep them from il alto
gother. | shut mine into their stables at the
commencement of winter weather, and keep
them there until there is n suihciency OF pas
turc for them in spring. seldom let them
out more than three times during winter, and
frequently not at all (hayo not been out OF
the stahle this season since the 10Th OF NOy.)
and am convinced that can keep them in
better condition at lcss expense than in any
other war. The increased amount Of SUI
perior article of manure they make is also an
item worth noticing.
believe II is an established fact among
a. Il a., h. .nI Etgfa nra IL
born things) founded ON reason and common
sense, that the more quiet stock is kept tho
faster il will thrive upOn given amount OF
food. therefore, ifkep, in close quarters they
will be quiet; in fact become lazy, and did
YOU ever see what was called lazy animal
but what wis always in good condition, man
not excepted? never did.
TIn HiSr SnEr RACE.-Anothcr notice.
able point Is the different form Of racks or
managers in use. A great many use the ons
nature lOrmed-feed ON the ground; very
sloyenly way, at best But majority use
some oil the thousand and one different forms
imaginable-in fact, all but the one con-
slider combining the most important requisi-
tcs in a sheep rack. As have had several
applications for plan Of the Que think
nearest perfection. will give description
of il for the benefit Of those readers of the
Ohio Farmer who may wish to construct
some Of the same.
How To MAKE A RlcK.-TO make them
convenient for moving, use boards ten or
twelve feet long, aud construct by using two,
ten inches wide, for the door, and Que, i've
or SIX inches wide. Cor a batten, making the
floor twenty-five inches wide; two for the
bottom side, ten inches wide. two for the top
OF the sidss, five inches wide. For posts to
nail 10, use two by two scautling, three feet
long, notch in half an incl, three inches from
the foot, 20 let in crOss piece to support
the aoor, thus leaving fee. TO stand on--an
important requisite. Nail the bottom side
board fast 10 the edge OF the Door and posts,
and the top one alteen inches above that
When firmly nailed together, nail perpen-
dicular Stats, five inches wide and five inches
apart. 10 the top and bottom, the end Of the
rack u be finished in the same way. This
would give ten inches for each sheep, a dis
tauce suitable for merinO sheep. These di-
mensious must vary according to the breed
ofsheep designed to be fed.
Irs ApyASr,cEs-The important point is to
construct 50 as TO give each sheep just room
enough, anu no morc. ""V" 'u'e 70 "s"0'
some very important objects are obtained
First, each sheep takes her place and can
not crowd her neighbor. for the dividing slat
prevents il. This obligcs each one 10 seek a
vacant place, instead OF crowding and push
ing for berth between the rest.
Secondly. fine wOcled shecp. with sadly
constructed racks, by crowding, chafe and
tear or much valuable wool. This rack al
most entirely prevents it.
Thirdly, they feed from the bottom Of the
rack, and consequently very little dirt or hay
will get into the fleece. lastly hut not leas,
10 be considered, there is no waste Of fodder,
aud tho rack may as conveniently be used for
grain OF roots as hay or stalks.
II any person has better rack. will he
please TO give description oft in the Ohio
; farmer-Cor. Ohio Farmer.