Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-08-22
DO Sheep and Goats Need Water In
Summer?
Aaricultural Editor Democrat

| Agricultural Editor Democrat.
Some time ago an article appeared in
your columns, arguing the necessity OF
sheep having access to water in addition
to what they get in rain and dew during
the summer season, the same as in win
ter; and more recently another paper
advanced the same idea.
Now, instead of giving my opinion
here, my purpose is rather to relate
what learned by observation and hear
say, and then leave 1t for each one to
draw his own conclusions.
During the season of 1S4S | worked
for Capt. Thomas Stickney, whose farm
lay on hillside, inclining to the south.
Back of the fields and on the summit OF
the hill was his sheep pasture, COM
posed, as usual, of soil and ledge; but
not a brook nor spring inside the In
closure. Whether those sheep suffered
from thirst, being wholly deprived Of
water except what they got in falling
rain and dew, | do not know; but do
know that they looked well and always
seemed contented.
NV next summers work, 1S49, was
for Capt James Staples, whose farm
was also on hill, about half mile
south of Canton village, more elevated
than the one above mentioned, and IN
clined to the north instead of the south.
One day as we were travelling along in
the pasture the captain suddenly halted
and remarked: Snow | want to show
and tell you something; there is that
hollow near the end of that ledge, con-
tanning about a gallon of water, as you
can see for yourself. When l made this
into a sheep pasture, supposlng OF
course the sheep must have access to
water, | dug that hole, it being the
only place where there was any sight
for it. That was three years ago, and
never have yet seen the sign of a sheep
track about the place to this day." And
certainly there were no indications that
thew had ever visited the place.
In describing the goat years ago Josh
Billings said it was coarse wooden
sheep; and really there is striking
similarity between the two animals. AS
mentioned last week ours has been
hitched with long chain ever since the
grass started in the spring; and with one
exception he has never drunk drop oil
water. and that was soon after getting
out of the barn in the spring.
Since making the above statement
and remembering that our goat had
been offered no water for several weeks,
| offered him some, cool and perfect
from the fountain; but on touching 1t
with his nose he shook his head, then
went off apparently disgusted to think
he hadn't been offered something better.
All of which is suggestive to say the
least.
If the question be asked how these
animals can live and thrive so long with
so little drink, the answer is that they
require much less than cattle; and not
only so but they take much of their
food at night when wet with falling
rain or dew.
This point may be illustrated by re-
ferring to the case of King Nebuchad-
nezzar. History informs us that before
his fall he was noted as a winebibber;
but after being turned out to grass, and
feeding when the dew was on, not
word is said about his ever drinking
wine, water or any other beverage dur
ing the seven times in which he re-
NAMED a beast. And let us hope the
ordeal made good temperance man OF
him during the remainder of his life.