Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-01-20
PRACTICAL FARM NOTES..


plant food, and Its distribution over the
soil Is most even. The subject is
worthy CT thoughtful consideration by
every reader In sections where sheep
can be raised. The contention Is that
soil can be brought to a high state, of
fertility by the use of sheep cheaper
and more quickly than in any other
way.
Points On sheep Feeding.
1t is a much more serious matter to
have sheep oft their feed for a day
or two than it is any other farm ami
NAL. The organism of the sheep is
very sensitive, and a day or two of
"off feed" means not only weak spots
in the wool fibre but a decided fall
ing of In weight that can be made
good only at considerable expense.
From now on to the time the sheep
go into winter quarters there should
be no chance for any break in their
growth. A falling off of forage should
be made good with grains. Winter
feeding should consist mainly of a feed
ing OF good clover and timothy hay
with a grain ration of equal parts of
shelled o and oats. Pure water in
abundance is also an essential. The
grain feeding should be done in the
yard, and of course this will necessi-
tate keeping the yards clean and dry.
Use troughs for the feed and a sufficient
number so that each animal can have
a chance to obtain her share of the
food. The yard should be kept well
covered with straw, especially on
bright days, to keep the sheep busy
picking it over. Any that is badly
trampled and soiled should be mixed
with the solid manure. The roughage
should be fed in the barn and by some
plan that will prevent the sheep from
pulling 1t out and wasting It. The box
rack placed low is best for the pur-
pose, but the hay should be cut in
convenient lengths for easy and clean
eating.
Feeding Cattle for Market.
All who are interested have doubt
less noticed she fact that the market
10y furnishes only the small or
medium sized animals. The heavy
steer and the fat hog are rarely seen.
The market demands the small ami
mails, for consumers have learned that
the flesh is more tender and juicy than
in the large animal. Heifer beef is
taking the place of steer beef, for the
former, equally we'll fattened at the
same age, is of much better quality.
1t is a fact worthy of record that the
producer fought for a long time against
this demand for young market stock,
especially the beef. The demand had
to be met or no sale, so he swallowed
his choler and has now discovered the
astounding fact that he can make a
pound Of meat cheaper and Of better
quality on the young animal than on
the older one, and that when the ami
me- gets beyond a certain weights ID
ing cannot be continued proitaJ1y
Thus it is that the preconeeived ideas
are being daily upset and oftentimes,
as in this case forced changes are made
contrary to our better judgment only
to find later that had they taken place
soone we would have been money In
pocket.
Raise More Live stock.
No one, the Southern farmer least
Of all, will dispute the statement that
lack OF live stock has had more to do
with the general improvement OF
Southern farms than any other one
thing. It will surprise many, however,
to know that many other sections of
the country are gradually drifting to-
ward the same state of affairs, while
the Southern farmer, having learned
his hard lesson, Is now headed the
right way. It is admitted that the
q + of live stock requires the con-
slant attention OF some one, and that
n Is pretty closely tied to the farm.
This plan Is not In harmony with the
general inc'tnAkion to make the tarm
produce crops that VIII 40; require cor