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for that business, and their whole life time is devoted to it. They are familiar with the nature of every sheep in their flocks; and when one goes in the least lame, or forsakes its food, it is caught and examined and treated. accordingly. They have sufficient knowledge of the mode of using their pasture lands; they use them in succession, so that the sheep have always a fresh supply of food, and sufficient time is thus given for the grass to grow undisturbed; even the stubble pasture is used systematically.

The written order for the mode of feeding "how much, what kind, when it must be given," &c., is nailed up in the stables, and the shepherd pays strict attention to it. The quantity of fodder is exactly estimated, and the amount required for the winter season calculated, and an additional supply set aside in case of a late season, and for rainy and cold days. The lambs are numbered by the marks in the ears, or by numbers fastened around their necks. The pedigrees are regularly kept up, so that the relationship of every animal can be given with great accuracy.

Breeding fine merinos is not a kind of hobby among the Silesian farmers, which swallows up all the profits of the estate. No! it is made a profitable branch of the farm husbandry, which pays a good price for the fodder, litter, and labor bestowed upon it, in return for which the farm allows to the sheep account a fair price for the manure. The rotations are not exclusively for raising fodder crops, but produce a great quantity of commercial plants, as for instance rape seed, which was formerly not planted at all in Silesia, but which now amounts to several hundred thousand Prussian sheffels per year; and besides great quantities of grain are produced to supply the growing population with bread stuffs.

The number of sheep upon a given nuinber of acres of land, is on an average, five sheep for four acres of plough land (the Germans call land which is used for raising crops, plough land, in distinction from meadow or pasture land.) This, however, depends on the quality of land suitable for fodder crops and pastures, the number of acres of meadows, and the quality, and especially on the intelligence of the superintendent. Sometimes they keep more sheep, but never less than three for four acres. At the time wool brought such high prices, some of the estates kept only a few head of cattle; but since the prices of wool have diminished, sheep breeding has not been considered nearly so profitable, and partly from the fact that they have ascertained by experience a great number of sheep operates injuriously upon the other branches of the farm, they have increased their stocks of cattle again. But notwithstanding this diminished revenue through the decrease of the price of wool, it is looked upon as the most inportant and profitable branch of farm husbandry, consequently the proper degree of attention and care is paid to it.

In Silesia the estates are not very extensive; the right of pasturing the sheep upon the property of the peasants has been abolished; the commons have been divided among the different farmers, and every estate holder has to depend upon his own extent of property for the supply of pasture; extensive districts of pasture land, as in Russia or Hungary, have been unknovn to the Silesians for many years back.

Breslau has every year two wool markets, one in the spring, the other in the autumn; at the spring market the quantity of wool amounts to aut 60,000 cwt., at a value of four million of thalers, (or nearly $3,000,000 of the United States,) in the autumn it scarcely reaches to 8,000 cwt.

Great improvements have likewise been made in washing the wool, also in shearing and packing.

Shearing is generally done by women who obtain usually at one and one-sixth cents per head and for a ram two and one-third cents. Some of them shear thirty to thirty-six per day; but with all the experience these women have, they do not shear well, cut steps, as they are called, and very often wound the sheep.

The wool was formerly packed in long round bags, but now it is packed, in square "kollies," as they are called, which are perfect cubes or oblong, and flat like a mattrass. January is the time when the purchases of rams and ewes to breed from, are made, and every one tries to obtain the best. This raises the price of sheep of the most celebrated establishments to an incredible height.

III.-Mode of Feeding and Breeding Sheep at Alcsúth in Hungary.

Successful breeding of sheep is in a great measure dependent upon a sufficient supply of food of the first quality, its proper preservation, economical use, and its augmentation on scientific principles. Of comparatively much greater moment, however, is the system followed in feeding them, and it is thought therefore interesting to give an account of the system as adopted at Alcsúth.

JANUARY.-Breeding bucks, receive in the morning one pound of esparsette (sainfoin) each; at 9 o'clock, watering; at 10 in the morning half a pound of hay of second quality; at 1 o'clock P. M. ditto; at 3, watering; and in the evening one pound of mixed hay.

Bucks for sale receive in the inorning one pound mixed hay; at 9 o'clock watering; at 10 esparsette half pound; at 1 P. M. do.; at 3, watering; in the evening 6 sheaves of oats, half threshed, and twenty-six pounds of hay to 100 rams.

Sucking ewes receive in the morning one pound of esparsette; at 9 watering; at 10 o'clock, to 100 ewes, one metzen of potatoes in small pieces; and thereafter straw at one P. M.; each ewe half a metzen of chaff mixed with oats and salt (say three-quarters of a metzen of oats and five ounces of salt to 100 ewes;) at 3 watering; at half past three, to 100 ewes, one metzen of potatoes cut to pieces; and in the evening, to 100 ewes, five sheaves of oats half threshed; and thirty pounds of winter straw for picking: Ewes of weak constitution, as well as those having twins, receive in addition, twice a day, a pint of barley meal each.

Barren ewes and such as are two years old, receive in the morning half a pound of chaff (mingled with three-eighths of a metzen of oats and four ounces of salt to 100 ewes,) at 9 o'clock watering; at 10, to 100 ewes, one metzen of potatoes, thereafter straw; at 12 M., three-quarters of a pound esparselle; at 3 P. M. watering; and in the evening, to 100 ewes, three sheaves of oats half threshed, and fifty pounds of winter straw for picking. Ewes and wethers two and a half years old, receive in the morning three-quarters of a pound of chaff (mixed with two-eighths of a metzen of oats and four ounces of salt to 100 head,) at 9 o'clock watering; at 10 o'clock to 100 head three-quarters of a metzen of potatoes, and thereafter onequarter of a pound of barley straw each; at 12 M., three-quarters of a pound of esparsette; at 3 P. M; watering; and in the evening to 100 head, 3 sheaves

of oats.

Old wethers receive three-quarters of a pound of carrots; at 9 o'clock

A metzen is equal to one and three quarters of a bushel English.

watering; at 10 o'clock to 100 head, one and a half metzen of potatoes, and thereafter straw; at 12 M., three-quarters of a pound of hay, second quality; at 3 watering; and in the evening to 100 head four sheaves of oats.

Old wethers and barren ewes receive in the morning three-quarters of a pound of steamed chaff; at 9 o'clock watering; at 10 o'clock, to 100 head, one and a half metzen of potatoes, thereafter straw in the yard; at 1 o'clock three-quarters of a pound of esparsette; at 3 watering; and in the evening again three-quarters of a pound of steamed chaff.

Wethers two years old, receive in the morning half a pound of chaff, with three-eighths metzen of oats and four ounces of salt to 100 head; at 9 watering; at 10 o'clock, to 100 head, one metzen of potatoes, and thereafter straw; at 1 o'clock, three-quarters of a pound of esparsette or hay of second quality; at 3 watering, and in the evening three sheaves of oats to 100 head. FEBRUARY.-Rams for coupling, receive in the morning one pound of pats and vetches mingled; at 10 o'clock half pound of hay second quality; at 1 P. M., half pound of esparsette; at 3 o'clock, watering; and in the evening, six sheaves of oats, half threshed, and twenty pounds of winter straw for picking, to 100 head.

Rams for sale, of the first class, receive in the morning one pound of esparsette; at 9 o'clock watering; at 10 o'clock of hay of second quality half a pound; at 1 P. M., ditto; at 4, watering; and in the evening to 100 head, six sheaves of oats together with twenty pounds of winter straw.

Rams for sale, of the second class, receive in the morning, one pound of oats and vetches mingled together; at 9, watering; at 10 o'clock of esparsette half a pound; at 1 P. M. ditto; at 3 watering, and in the evening, to 100 head, five sheaves of oats half threshed, together with twenty pounds of winter straw.

Sucking ewes of the first class, receive in the morning one pound of esparsette; at 8 o'clock watering; at 9 o'clock, to 100 head, 1 metzen of potatoes cut to pieces, thereafter straw; at 12 M., half pound of chaff with three-eighths metzen of oats and five ounces of salt; at 1 o'clock, watering; at 4 P. M., to 100 head, 1 metzen of potatoes, and in the evening five sheaves of oats, together with thirty pounds of winter straw.

Sucking ewes of second class, are treated on precisely the same footing, there being only this, not very material distinction made with regard to them, viz. that they receive their chaff together with oats and salt, not until 1 (instead of 12) o'clock.

Barren ewes and those two years old. They are fed precisely as in January, with only this difference that they get their esparsette, at 1 o'clock in - the afternoon, instead of 12 o'clock.

Old wethers have, in this month, their early watering at 8 o'clock, their potatoes at 9, and their food in the afternoon at 1 o'clock.

Two year old wethers. The hour of watering is fixed at 8 in the morn ing, that of potato-food at 9, and that of hay-fodder at 12 o'clock; in every other respect the order of February is observed.

Two years and a half old wethers and ewes. The order of food remains as in January, except that in the morning the watering is at 8, and the potato feeding at 9 o'clock in the morning. The straw given after the potatoes during this month is offered in the yard.

MARCH.-Rams for coupling. Only the hour of watering is changed froin 3 to 4 o'clock, P. M.

Rams for sale. Those of the first class have the watering in the afternoon at 3 o'clock, and those of the second have it in the morning at 8,

and in the afternoon at 4 o'clock. In every other respect the order of February is retained.

Sucking ewes of the first class, get in the morning one pound of esparsette, while in every other respect the old order is retained.

Sucking ewes of the second class, get in the morning three-quarters of a pound of hay, second quality; watering at 8; at 9, one metzen of potatoes to 100 head; thereafter straw in the yard; at 10 o'clock, half pound of chaff mixed with three-eighths of a measure of oats, and five ounces of salt to 100 head; at 3 P. M., watering; at 4 o'clock, to 100 head, one measure of potatoes, and in the evening five sheaves of oats.

Barren ewes and such as are two years old, are treated on the same footing as before, except that the watering is to be at 8 o'clock in the morning, and the potato feeding at 9.

Old wethers receive in the morning five-quarters of a pound of after-math, (rowen ;) at 9 o'clock, watering; at 10 o'clock, potatoes, one and a half metzen to 100 head, and thereafter, straw in the yard; at 1 P. M. threequarters of a pound of esparsette; at 4 o'clock, watering; in the evening four sheaves of oals to 100 head, and those that are weak get half a pound of carrots instead of oat-straw.

Wethers two years old are fed precisely as in February.

Ewes two years old receive the esparsette at 1 o'clock, and their hour of watering is 4 o'clock; otherwise the old order remains.

Lambs receive in the morning half a pound of hay, first quality; at 9 o'clock, watering in the stall; at half past 10 o'clock, to 100 head, five metzen of oats; at 10 o'clock, lucerne half pound; at 1 o'clock, P. M. the same; at 3 P. M., watering; at half past 4, again three metzen of oats to 100 head, and in the evening half a pound of oats and vetches mingled.

APRIL.-Rams for coupling receive in the morning one pound of esparsette, have drink at 8 o'clock, then straw; again, at 11 o'clock, half a pound of hay, first quality; at 2 o'clock the same; at 4, drink; at 6 o'clock, five sheaves of oats half threshed and twenty pounds summer-straw to pick to 100 head.

Rams for sale, on the whole are treated alike, yet in the evening at half past 5 o'clock six sheaves of oats are given to 100 head.

Old ewes, every morning receive half pound of chaff, with three-eighths metzen of oats and five ounces of salt to 100 head; at 8, drink; at 9 to 100 head, one metzen of potatoes, and after, straw in the yard, at 12 o'clock, three-quarters of a pound of hay, second quality; at 3, drink, then again straw in the yard, and last, at half past 6 o'clock, three sheaves of oats.

Old wethers receive in the morning three-quarters of a metzen of steamed chaff at 8 o'clock; at 9 o'clock, half a metzen of potatoes to 100 head, and then straw in the yard; at 10 o'clock, three-quarters of a pound of esparsette; at half past 4, drink, and after, again straw in the yard; at six in the evening, half a pound of steamed chaff.

Lambs get in the morning half a pound of hay of first quality; at 8, drink in the stall; at 9 o'clock, to 100 head, six half metzen of oats; at 11 o'clock, each, half a pound of lucerne; at 12 o'clock, one pound of the same; at 4, drink at the well; at half-past 4, again six half metzen of oats to 100 head; and at half past 5 o'clock, half a pound of oats and vetches mixed

In the month of MAY, feeding in the stall is given up, and pasture commenced. At first, and until the sheep have become perfectly used to the rich green food, they receive, before being driven to pasture, dry winter fodder and drink. The sheep are not driven out until the thaw has dried up,

and the shepherd's servant has to drive them to that part of the pasture which is especially assigned, so that the artificial meadows may be spared for a longer time, and, on the other hand, the sheep may continually find sufficient pasture to feed on. Moreover, the nearest pastures belong to the ewes, and the remotest are for the wethers; the lambs remain in the vicinity of the farm, and during the hot hours of noon the sheep are to be in the stall, in case the distance does not exceed one mile. On those pastures which are far distant, there are shelters for the protection and convenience of the animals. The flocks are most carefully protected against rain. In rainy or rough weather the sheep must be fed in the stall, where they remain; in addition to the dry-fodder cut to chaff, some green lucerne is given which, as we take occasion to add, is stored up in airy and cool fodder rooms, and is well spread on boards, in order not to get heated.

And vice versa, according as the autumn, and therewith the winter feeding approaches, the portion of dry fodder which the sheep receive before being driven out, is increased from day to day, in order that the animal organism may again become disused to rich food.

In NOVEMBER, feeding in the stall is resumed, and,

Rams for coupling receive in the morning one pound of oats and vetches mingled; at 9 o'clock, watering, then straw in the yard; at 11 esparsette, half a pound; at 1 o'clock, half a pound of hay, second quality; at 3, drink; at 4 P. M. six sheaves of oats and twenty-five pounds of winter straw to 100 head, for picking and strewing.

Rams for sale receive in the morning one pound of esparsette; at 9 o'clock, drink; at 10 o'clock half a pound of oats and vetches mixed; at 1 P. M. half a pound of hay, second quality; at 4 P. M. to 100 head, six

sheaves of oats.

Buck lambs receive in the morning three-quarters of a pound of oats and vetches mixed; at 9 o'clock, drink; at 11 o'clock, esparsette, half a pound; at 1 P. M. the same; at 3 P. M. drink; at 4 P. M. to 100 head, four sheaves of oats.

Ewes of the first class get in the morning one pound of esparsette; at 9, drink; at 10 A. M. to 100 head, one metzen of potatoes, then straw; at 1 o'clock, three-quarters of a pound of hay, third quality; at 3, drink; in the evening five sheaves of oats.

Ewes of the second class receive in the morning one pound of hay, third quality; at 9 watering; at 10, to 100 head, one metzen of potatoes, then straw in the yard; at 1 o'clock half a pound of chaff, with three-eighths of a metzen of oats, and four ounces of salt to 100 head; at 3 o'clock watering; in the evening, five sheaves of oats.

Ewes for sale receive in the morning one pound of hay, third quality; at 9, watering; at 10, straw in the yard; at 12, chaff, three-fourths of a pound, and with this three-eighths of a metzen of oats and four ounces of salt to 100 head; at 3 o'clock, watering; and in the evening five sheaves of oats.

The two years old ewes and wethers receive in the morning half a pound of chaff, with three-eighths of a metzen of oats and four ounces of salt to 100 head; at 9, drink; at 10 o'clock, half a metzen of potatoes to 100 head, and then straw in the yard; at 1 in the afternoon three-fourths of a pound of esparsette; at 3, watering; and in the evening four sheaves of oats.

Ewe lambs receive in the morning three-fourths of a pound of esparsette; at 9 o'clock, drink; at 10, to 100 head, half a metzen of potatoes, and thereafter oats and vetches mixed; at 10 o'clock, half a pound of hay of the second quality; at 3, drink; at 4 o'clock, three sheaves of oats.

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