Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-18
EVENING STAR.
Feedlnz R,o,, end Ground Grain to Sheep.


MEssRs. EpIToRs.-T read the editorial
correspondence Of L. II. 7. In regard to the
South-Down sheep OF Mr.. J. c. Taylor Of
Holmdel, y. J with much interest, not only
because 1t gave avery Interesting account of
Mr.. I. 5 South Downs, but also on account OF
the sound argument in favor Of mutton "sheep
husbandry." Whilst / by no means think the
South. Downs the most profitable mutton sheep
Tor the farmer to raise, yet freely accord to
them great advantage over the common native
sheep. Their fine form and distinct features
clearly marx them as a peculiar breed that
eutitle them 70 be ranked among the FIRST class
Of mutton sheep much to be admired. do
not, however, regard them as profitable as the
larger breeds. The Leicester, CotsxoldS, &C.,
hardy and prolific ssI conceive, and therefore
i give them the preference, But duonot pro-
pose at present 10 discuss the peculiar advan-
tages Of any particular breed-will leave that
If necessary to future article. .-u 81 sa
There is another feature in the same article
that wish TO allude 20, and that is the impor-
lance Of feeding roots 20 sheep, which con-
slider almost indispensable to successful sheep
raising l fully endorse the advantages de-
rived in the aggregate, but never made the
test TO ascertain the relative advantages of thu
Iuta bsga as compared with the white turnips
but Mr. /. having dsne so, it is no doubt cor
rect that ruta Dagas are mBch the best My
but as can raise other varieties, especially
the Globe and NorfOlks at so much less expense,
/ am satisfied with them
In this connection there Is another feature
ia the article alluded 10, that I can by no
means subscribe to. The writer says til at tur-
nips should not be given to breeding ewes, un-
I'll the lambs are fortnight old. This is en-
tlrety at variance with my experience on the
subject, and as profess TO be a practical man.
having but little regard for theories that are
not fully sustained by facts, / enter my Bro
test most euphsticelly. " 49,
Ny ewes are quite fat, several of them weigh
ing about 200 lbs, and some Of them consider
ably more They have eaten about all the
turnips thoy would since first of November
having nearly all Ct them dropped their lambs
with the loss Of but single twin lamb; and
never having my ewes and lambs do better
am apt 20 think there is some mistake about
the detrimental effects Of giving breeding ewes
turnlps. This too is in accordance with all
my former experience on the subject
One thing more. cannot see the advantage
OF feeding corn meal to sheep as recommended
by the same writer, bot on the contrary can
see many dissdvantages-sheep grind corn
better than the miller, and do il much cbeap-
er. Thus the toll is saved as we'll as the per-
plexity and other expense of milling, to say
nothing about he future waste Of corn meal in
windy, rainy and muddy weather On the
huU, He"Iiy every gram Oh corn Is PICK
ed up by the sheep when fed whole, and il
much pieasanter on every account to feed.
have thus given a little of nv experience
In this particular department. Am always
willing to compare notes with my brother far
mers, hoping all the time to learn something.
which 1 Ind I very much need.
l. d. G. NELSON.
En- Fax, .2.sar Fort Wayas, lad. -, .
We hope Mr.. Taylor will respond to the
above remarks upon his svstarn = FaoJ;n.
giving more fully the reasons upon which he
bases 1t. We need scarcely assure our CORES
Pondent, Mr.. Nelson, however, that Mr.. Tay-
Tor Is In oil respects "a practical man." ana
has no theories" except those based upon
practice.-COUHtry Gsntieman.l ,..-r !