The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-02-24
LAMBS FOR MARKET.
Ewes Should Enter Winter in Coco.
Well Fed Condition.

Ewes Should Enter Winter in Good
Well Fed Condition.
The temptation for the farmer is to
put off the commencement of FALL and
winter feeding of breeding ewes to the
latest possible period This, however.
Is serious mistake, as frozen and
nonnutritious grasses are totally insult
ticent to maintain The bodily wants of
the animal, and a rapid wasting Of
flesh too often ensues. The loss of
flesh resulting from this treatment is
always expensive to regain. Dr. Witty
combe of Oregon, an authority in these
matters, strongly urges that care
should be taken to prevent the eweA
from entering winter in an emaciated
condition and that they should be kept
separated from the rest of the flock.
The time of changing from pasture to
winter feed is often a critical period
in the life of sheep, especially so when
no provision has been made to supply
succulent food in the form of roots
and silage. An excellent plan to assist
in modifying the injurious effects of
these changed conditions is to com.
mence feeding the flock light rations of
oats upon the first appearance Of Sc
we're autumn frosts Surprisingly good
results will be obtained by feeding one
half pound of oats per head whne the
ewes are yet on pasture.
Winter Housing and Feed.
There should he no evil results fol
lowing the proper housing of sheep.
In warm, humid winter climate close
housing is entirely out of the question,
and if adopted evil results will in
evitably follow. If ewes of the large
mutton breeds are to be housed a floor
space of at least fifteen square feet for
each eve should be provided.
The amount and character of the
feed given should be governed largely
by the condition of the ewes, and If for
any reason they are permitted to enter
their winter quarters in thin condition
no time should be lost in getting them
started on the road to improvement If
good crop of vigorous lambs is to be
expected in the spring. If the ewes
enter winter in good flesh but little If
any grain will be required until few
weeks before Landing time; hence it
Is the part of economy to have them
In this condition at this particular sea
son.
The Early Market Lamb,
With the ever increasing population
! of our cities, the high price of beef and
the growing taste for the healthful and
delicious meat of the sheep the produc.
ton of the early market lamb seems
destined to be an important factor in
the revenues of the farm.
A good system of producing lambs
/ for early market is to select in the ear
| ~ fall the ewes that are intended to be
retired from the flock and place them
upon good piece of pasture, rape be-
ing preferable. Arrange to have them
lamb early, not later than the last of
| January. The winter management
should be practically the same as for
the breeding flock, except that more
! liberal quantity of grain should be Civ.
en- after lambing. Adjoining the shed
or yard in which the ewes are fed
place should be set apart for the lambs,
so constructed as to admit the lambs,
but exclude the ewes.
When the lambs are ready for ship
ment to market, as they should be at
the age of six to eight weeks, the ewes
from which they are taken should be
given but little if any grain for few
! days or until the milk secretions are
materially checked AS soon as they
give evidence Of drying up commence
to gradually increase the grain feed un-
til it is brought up to quite liberal
amount. 1t is highly important at this
Juncture to expedite their preparation
for market with all possible speed, as
at this season fat aged ewes will com.
mand better price than at any other
time Of the year.