Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-01-12
A Few Words with Sheep Keepers.

- NV Va NiSo lOi tiOpt VI Jul AalAuSL
readers who are wise enough TO keep
few sheep among their farm stock,
but few seasonable hints, suggested
in part by observations Of our own
flock, and in part by what we have
seen in the Gocks Of others, may not
be amiss:
Count your flock every day. This,
however, is no more applicable TO
sheep than to any other stock kept on
the farm, from the chickens up TO
meat cattle. The habit of counting
all the focks or herds upon the farm,
every time the eye rests upon them,
even If it be many times q day, is q
good, and oftentimes, profitable one.
Keep dry under foot. This is
quite as needful and importan: as
shelter overhead, and perhaps more
so. If confined to a yard or pen, s
plentiful supply Of litter will accom-
plish this, and at the same time rap
idly accumulate the best stock of
manure on the farm.
Do not let the hogs run with the
sheep, particularly when they are
eating, and by no means IN the
spring. This is important and will
almost certainly avoid the loss Of
some lambs, and perhaps of one or
two Of the weakest among the old
ones.
Feed little grain every day. A
mixture OF corn and oats in equal
parts is probably as good as any, and
(4) quarts per day to twenty sheep,
in addition to good hay or fodder,
will keep them strong and in "good
heart" though thrice this amount
may be fed profitably. or course we
are speaking of "store sheep" and
not those that are being fattened. In
this matter regularity, both as to
time and quantity is essential to
good health, and an even growth of
wool.
Separate the thin and weak ones
from the flock and give them special
care. They will gain much more rap
idly than when bumped about and
crowded back by those that are well
and strong.
Salt freely and regularly. 1t is
better to keep salt (mixed with a
little sulphur) in box, under shelter
from the weather, where they can get
it at will, than to give it to them in
their feed, or at irregular times.
Never allow them to be frightened
If possible to avoid it. In moving
them from place to place, as from
stable to yard, or yard to field, it is
vastly better to coax them to follow
after than to drive them before you.
The kindness toward them upon your
part, and the resulting confidence in
you upon theirs, which are necessary
to enable you to do this, will greatly
promote their thrift and well-being; I;
and the ability to have them come at
call will often prove a great convent
ence, and save many a'step.
If they can be kept in the farm
yard, as is often the case, carefully
avoid throwing chaff, dust OF dirt of
any sort upon them from the upper
doors of the barn. The dirt works
down through the wool to the skin,
and causes the sheep great discom.
fort and annoyance, and depreciates
the value Of the wool very largely.
If one should be found lame, ex-
anime the foot, pare If unsound, and
clean out between the hoofs. Then
apply solution Of tobacco and blue
vitriol, wetting the foot thoroughly,
or rub a mixture Of pine tar, sulphur
and carbolic acid, upon a small rope,
and draw this between the hoofs,
afterwards filing up The cleft with
the mixture.