Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-07

milk as to be thin they should now be Sc
lected out and put by themselves in better
feed. After this comes sorting to winter
and to sell, which should be done as early in
the fall as may be, to give those selected to
winter better chance; for much in winter
ing depends on the condition in which they
come to the barn. Sheltering from storms
in the fall is neglected by many, but should
be closely attended to.
With lambs, il means more than keeping
them dry for they will learn to be handled
without fear and by putting rowen in their
racks, they will soon learn to eat, so that the
change from grass to hay will be easy. 1t is
a mistaken idea that it is profitable not to
feed sheep as long as the snow is not more
than six inches or a foot deep. They should
be fed with grain or hay, or both, as soon
as the feed fails, that they may keep IN
thrifty condition. Grain fed at this time
is worth more than in mid-winter, after the
sheep have commenced running down. 1t is
much easier keeping them up, than getting
them up after once down. When at the barn
for the winter they should be sorted into lots
of from 80 to 35, according to age and con.
dition--lambs always by themselves.
A NOW of as good hay as can be got should
be kept, to feed from, the first few weeks,
afterwards that Of poorer quality may be
used. If there is much poor hay it should
alternate with the good. An occasional feed
of straw should be given for change, and
for littering. And here let me say that at
all times they should be kept well Uttered.
Feed twice day, after sunrise and before
sunset. Feeding grain depends on the quail
ity of the hay, the season and the condition
of the sheep. Lambs should be fed a few
oats every day the FIRST Of the season, after
that, oats may be mixed with, or changed for
other grain. Older sheep should be grained
the first Of the season, after which they may
do without till the first Of March. A mixture
of grain is better than one kind, and except
oats it is more profitable to be ground than
fed whole. The best time to feed Is in the
morning. An occasional feed Of roots
through the winter keeps them in healthy
condition and gives them good appetite
toward spring they may have them every
day Care should be taken to not over feed
with hay as well as grain; lambs especially
may be injured by over feeding with hay.
Sheep should be allowed good fresh water as
often as they wish it should be 30 situated
that they can get it without going out in the
wind or storm. Any one who has watched
flock of sheep while eating has noticed that
they will drink little at time and often
Salt should be kept by them all the time,
and sulphur or ashes or both should be mix
ed with it. We think ashes a sure pfeven.
tive of {" grub in the head" Sheep shonld
not be kept too close or warm, the barn
should be well ventilated and the sheep have
plenty Of exercise Sheep in good condition
will frequently lose theuse Of their legs from
want of exercise. Ewes should drop, their
lambs before leaving the barn, and should be
fed for milk month before dropping them.
More lambs can be raised at this time than
after the sheep leave the barn, and they will
be better in the fall,
Too much care can not be taken at this
time. On dropping their lambs, ewes should
be separated from those not having done 30,
and kept in small lots till the lambs are
strong and the ewes will take care of them.
If eve does not own her lamb she should
be closely confined with the lamb should
be so confined that the lamb can suck at will
If the lamb is not strong it should be suck;
led often. 1t does not often do any coed to
whip sheep to make her own a lamb, but
feed we'll and suckle often. If lambs do not
get milk enough they should be fed from a
new milch COW until they 90 to pasture.
One lamb well started is worth more than
two poor ones. In case Of twins, i. is better
to give away or kill one unless the eve is an
extra mixer The foregoing is our mode of
managing and wintering sheep. Now few
words in regard to our present flock. 1t has
numbered for the last fifteen years from l75
to 200 The flock is composed of ewes and
necessary stock bucks-wethers being dis.
posed of when lambs. From IS to 100 are
breeding ewes, and we seldom lose more than
one lamb in twenty We have never bought
any ewes, but have made all the improvement
by using good bucks, and selecting the best
sheep to keep. We have never praoticed
breeding in. Fifteen years ago our flock av.
eraged from l.2 to lbs. per head for
five years past it has averaged from l-2 70
7 lbs, of washed wool. 1t has been our aim
to breed for size OF carcass and length of sta
pie not grease and useless wrinkles.