Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-01-31
Westminster Farmers, Club.

Subject OF discussion, Jan. Isi 81 best
method of managing horses and sheep, TO
make them most profitable 60 the owner"
w. r. Kimball: We must look to the
breeding of both sire and dam, but most de-
ponds on the dam, but good dam deserves
proper sire. Colts should follow the mare
ut least five months, should have little
grain. II in good flesh when coming TO the
barn, keep them so. Tho second winter do
the same. Think it good plan to feed
coarse feed and some meal. feed but little
hay, mostly cut feed, think it is the cheapest.
Good Judges say n horse should stand about
Is hands high, and weigh 1000 lbs. ! am
satisfied that we are inclined to pile on too
much flesh. ltdoos not always make horse
look better nor sell better.
ID. c. Wright: I formerly fed cut feed, wet
with warm water Now feed dry hay. and
meal wet with hot water in the form of "A
raise II good horse it is necessary to breed
from n good dam. Many are used that are
not worth dollar for the purpose. 1t pays
well to raise good colts. They should be
sold when about three years old. These
facts in regard to breeding apply equally rs
well to sheep.
Phnehas Reyes Has raised few colts
agrees with Mr.. Kimball about the impor-
lance of good dam. One-half the mares
are unfit to breed from and the use of them
runs down our breed of horses. agree with
Mr. Wright about the sheep. We should
never breed from ordinary ewes, they should
be of superior qualty-sclected from the
best. | should not feed hay more than twice
day. If of u poor quality, would feed some
grain. Sheep should be fed in such n manner
that every fibre of wool will show good keep
! ing every month of the year. If at any time
they are allowed to grow poor, each fibre OF
wool shows it. | prefer they should have a
good supply Of running water at all times.
They should have salt frequently through
the summer season, but in winter only occa-
sionally, and that in small quantities, and
always in warm days.
ID. G. Wright would keep it by them nj
all times.
/ n. G.. Pierce: MIR. Kimball understands
| the horse, and his theory think is correct IN
| the main. Poorly kept colts always make
u
/ dry hay, but wet the hay with boiling water
/ then throw on dry meal. Think il rs good
| if not better than cut feed Ii has been de-
| ciled by good feeders that long cut is better
/ than short cut hay. We should feed regu.
| larry and in equal quantities. Don't think
we had better make horse raising n specially
! There Is too much risk.
! O. l.. Fisher: Think twice per day sufii-
/ cient number of times to ieed sheep, unless
| they are to he fed with grain, which is II goot
| plan and pays well. If were going to raise
/ lambs to sell, would cross the halt blood
| Cotswold with the full blood merino ewes
| (Ilavc one of the kind that weighs 90 lbs.
| For wool should raise the full blood mernos
! ID. G. Wright: feed grain at the same
time feed hay, in the morning.
j. B. Morse: Many who read our reports
think we ought to arrive ut some dcinit,
/ conclusion. on the various subjects discussed
but since il hns been our plan, simply to Civ,
our experience or express our views, | may
| rs well do the same. | notice that men diff
fer rs to the best method Of feeding horses
! No figures are given, of the expense of tn,
different ways and we are left to exercise ON
own reason rs to the best method. But little
has been said about sheep and | shall ado
hut little Think MIR. Kcycs has the trut
theory in relation to their having free aces.
to water at all times. His method of sailing
in summer is the same rs have practice,
! TT nome, nut lhe experience Oh inc last SD
years has shown me that sheep are less liza
bic to disorders who have no salt during the
winter. In pleasant weather would feed il
open air but in stormy and.extremely cole
weather under shelter. Too close confine
mcnt creates disorder that causes them {,
"pull wool and hence n loss.
n. G.. Pierce | feed salt mt all times, thinl
il any one would keep it where sheep coul,
get it at all times they would see benefi
derived from it.
o. i. Fisher: | keep salt and sulpher be
fore them, and think il pays.
Mr., Wright ! have prncticed the same, ant
never thought ! lost any sheep by so doing
Adjourned to Friday evening Subject
Milk.