Rocky Ford enterprise., 1893-10-19
Roots for Sheen.

| Roots for Sheep.
The crying need of our great sheer
industry is a better mixed food ration
than is generally supplied by own
ers, and more protection from the in
clemency of the weather. There is
no country on the globe that is GO
ing to surpass the United States for
sheep-raisIng, and the interests in
this line are already of such impos-
ing magnitude that it is almost the
leading farm industry. 1t is not
only wool-raising that makes the
work SO valuable, but in many parts
of the country adjacent to good mar
kets owners of sheep are doubling
their incomes by raising superior
mutton for the market as well.
Breeds OF sheep are being raised
which will supply excellent mutton
and good wool. The wool, of course,
is not so good as the finest, grown
by those who raise sheep only for
this, but it is of such character
that it is in fair demand at reasona-
BILE prices.
Sheep are naturally hardy, and
they can thrive off poorer food and
with less protection than most farm
animals, but 1t does not follow from
this that they do not improve under
good treatment and repay the owner
for any extra outlay expended on
them. On the contrary it has been
pretty well demonstrated in many
parts of this country that sheep re-
quire good food and good care If they
are to be very profitable. Tho
grumbling generally comes from
those who expect the animals to
shift for themselves and make an in
come for their owners. while they do
nothing. This is more than can be
expected. 1t is necessary to look
ahead and see that food, and good
food, is prepared for the sheep the
year around, and also good shelter
Formerly sheep raisers never
thought of sowing and harvesting
crops for the animals, says the
Economist. They were supposed to
get living some how on the prairies
and among the mountains. But it is
sort of thing nowadays.
We need to grow crops for our
sheep and to supply them with
mixed ration-a diversified food. In
this ration roots play most i'm
portant part. They supply the
amount of water which all ANIMALS
need when fed dry food, and dry food
must be fed in the winter time.
They should be grown extensively
for winter use, and should then be
cut or mashed so that they can be
mixed with the hay. bran, oats or
mill feed. These roots will prevent
stomach troubles and make the
animals gain more from their solid
food than II not given at all. 1t does
not answer to make them take CO.
pious draughts of water with their
meals, for this washes down great
deal Of the food without being
digested and assimilated. The result
is, there is a decided waste. Roots
are also nourishing and they are of
great value to ewes when giving
milk. Sugar-beets, mangels. ruta-
bagas, and turnips are all of
inestimable value to the flock. and
they should be raised for winter use
in season, if sheep diseases are to be
avoided.
Mixed feeds for sheep are always
superior to plain foods. and they
should always be given when pos
sible. 1t is in the mixed food that
roots attain their greatest value. for
they make the mixture more di-
gestlble. BY giving certain
amount of mixed food each day
regularly, with roots included, it is
estimated that one saves fully twenty
per cent in food; or, in other words,
eighty per cent of mixed food is
equal to 100 per cent of plain.