Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-07-03

ihe o"uets siinply useu goou rAins couiu
not be induced to sell their best eve
lambs, and kept them from the buck the
first year, giving them good run of past
ure | think generally, roots were fed to a
small extent, and treated them gently,
and kept them free from parasites
The sheep were high grade Cotswolds ;
that being the kind was looking after,
those were the focks l saw most.
Then in answer to the question, think
that small flocks of high grade Cotswolds
will pay richly for good care in his sec
ton. may add that feeding experiments
here last winter showed that Mcrinoes
consumed very much more than Cots
wolds per 100 lbs. live weight; and L
think it is general principle that large
breeds make pound of growth on less
food than small ones. think your farm
ers will find them hardy, prolific, and
excellent mothers, and good wool bearers.
Have | any to sell ?" None but
rams eight in number half of them high
grades. property of State farm; all lambs.
"How much do they shear apiece p The
sheep We keep shearcd nine pounds one
and one-half ounces average The Meri-
noes little over ten pounds each.
One thought suggests itself to me, not
strictly in keeping with the question (com-
parative revenue of sheep versus stock !,
that may be of interest to note. That is
shat sheep are engaged in two-fold pro-
duction that is, either weight or lambs
and wool and that this two-fold produc-
ton must be one Of economy, for it takes
given amount of food to maintain live
weight without increase, and the growth
obtained is made from the food given,
over and above the amount necessary to
maintain that weight without increase,
and the growth obtained is made from
the food given over and above the amount
necessary TO maintain that weight, and ii
a second form Of growth is introduced it
Is upon the animal already maintained for
other purposes, and no maintenance fod-
der IS necessary to be charged to the
growth 50 made, only the extra fodder
that is consumed on account of this addi-
,ional growth.
To illustrate from facts that will not be
strictly applicable but will approximate
very closely to the actual facts OF the
case: Here at the college farm | fed
last winter largely by weight to ascertain
the per cent. eaten Of fodder by different
stock Of different ages under different cir
cumstances. Steers without growth con-
sumed two per cent. Of their live weight
daily. Cows producing young or in milk
consumed 30 per pent daily Of live
weight. Sheep consumed three per cent
daily.
Now then, in the production of milk
and young, the cows required o Of one
peg cent. extra food daily. Ii We assume
tina. the produo ton Of milk and young
by the sheep required g Of one per cent
extra food, daily also; thea DC per cent
OF their food went for maintenance fodder
AMI the production Of milk and young
anu the / OF per cent extra, 10 make VI
the 3 per cent daily was required to pro-
duce the wool, which would amount for
100 days at the barn to 90 pounds OF hay
to produce over nine pounds Of WOOL
While this course Of reasoning is open tC
criticism, there Is . fact taught that can
not be inyaliiatcd.
Bear with my rambling pen for Few
figures on $50 10. Cotswo!d; $50 days
at barn, , per cent. live weight daily OF
hay or It's equivalent t'his being the
amount; eaten by the sheep los. fed
90 hay and for this it is possible TO get
with dollar added for pasturage, to IL
los. wool and a hundred ID. lamb, or 4
$50 ID. yeaTling.
I am aware that many causes for the
decline Of sheep husbandry in our State
may be alleged with much show Of reason
have no time to discuss them, neither
the question of the breeding aud manage
men; Of sheep, hope some Of the read
ers OF the MIRROR will consider the ques-
ton. j. ". SANnoRN.
Hanover, June ;.