Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-05-14
FARM AND PRESIDE.

OHEEP w ASHING.-lt is q question III
the minds of many wool-growers as to the
practical utility of washing the fleece while
1t is still upon the sleeps back. A deduc-
tion-usually thirds made by the
wool buyers from the weight of all I'M
washed wool, and in most cases this is not
far from the loss which the fleece would
sustain in the process of washing, if it is
done with the average amount of thorough
ness. Nevertheless, the practice of wash
ing the sheep is very general, and if there
is no return in money for the labor OF
washing, there is the satisfaction of hav-
ing clean wool to work with when shear
ing.
The common method of washing is to
select some favorable place in a brook
where the water is about three feet deep,
the bottom hard and gravelly. and the
currant moderate, and then build pen of
rails sufficient to hold large flock. and
provided with a narrow opening towards
the stream. Into this pen the sheep are
driven1hrough an opening. temporarily
made for the purpose, at the rear. One
man, perhaps aided by boy, tends the
flock and passes the sheep to the washers
sheep should have been previously tagged
and freed from all large soiled clots. The
washing should not be done until the wa
ter has become so warm that the sheep
may not be chilled and injured. Special
care must be taken with old or sickly
sheep, and ewes that are still with lamb.
An exposure of the sheep to warm rain
the day previous to the washing is an adj
vantage, as it softens and loosens the dirt
and renders the washing easier and more
thorough. AS the sheep are washed they
should pass out upon a clean, grassy slope
that rises gradually from the stream,
otherwise the water laden animals may
fall and soil their feeces. After washing,
If the weather should suddenly turn cool-
er, the flock should be provided with shell
ter. to prevent their taking cold, as they
wonld be likely to do. From this time Of
washing to that of shearing, two weeks or
so, the sheep should be kept in pasture
that is free from any bare ground, over
hanging banks or steep side hills, that the
wool may be kept clean.
A second method of washing which is
employed when the stream is small but
somewhat rapid, is to arrange spout for
the passage of the water, and hold the
sheep under the end-the water flowing
upon the animal. In this way the washer
does not go in the stream, and if provided
with rubber boots and apron, may keep
himself comparatively dry. The washing
by this method is very thorough as there
is stream of clear water constantly flow
ing into and through the wool, and carry-
ing off the impurities as they are removed
from the sheep.-Anaerico1a Agrdcotlturakst.
MILK AS POULTRY FOOD.-The
|"American Agriculturalist' 2says we have
been trying milk as poultry food during
the winter and can confidently recomm end
it to villagers and farmers who keep one
or more cows for family use. Where but
ter is made and skim milk is plenty, it is
a very valuable addition to the fare of the
poultry yard. One main difference be-
tween winter and spring laying is owing
to the absence of animal food in winter.
The skim and butter milk may be poured
into the feeding trough, and kept constant
ly by the fowls, or it may be mixed with
scalded meal or various grains. Indian
meal is good ration once a day. but it
should be varied with oat or rye meal, and
with whole grain of wheat, buckwheat or
barley. In warm room with good south
ern exposure, and plenty of light, there is
no difficulty in getting plenty of eggs from
early pullets, and this is the time when
eggs are of great market value. Later in
the season when the broods come off, milk,
which will then be more abundant, will be
an excellent feed for chickens, turkeys,
and all kinds of young poultry, and will
give quite as good returns as when fed to
pigs.
CTRING KICKING COws-A SuffiaJd