The Question Box. 87 



tempt it and start in a small way. The best feed is linseed meal, 

 clover hay, oats and wheat bran. If corn is fed it should be 

 cracked. 



Question. — Is it safe to allow sheep to eat all the rape they 

 will, if they are turned into a field of it? 



Mr. Woodward. — No. If too much is eaten, bloat will ensue. 

 Do not turn the sheep into the rape field till after the dew, or 

 any rain that may have fallen, has dried out. When the rape 

 is dry, turn them on; allow them to feed awhile, then turn them 

 into pasture. It is well to have two fields; when one is fed down 

 closely, turn the sheep into the other. It grows up again very 

 soon, and will continue to grow till the ground freezes. The 

 plant belongs to the cabbage family, and is one of the most valu- 

 able sheep and pig foods grown. Dwarf Essex is the best variety. 

 There is another, known as the German rape, which is the one 

 that produces canary bird seed. Do not make the mistake of 

 sowing that. Sow the Dwarf Essex in drills IS to 20 inches 

 apart, or it may be sown broadcast. But in drills the ground 

 may be cultivated awhile. If sown in drills, two pounds of seed 

 is enough for an acre; if broadcast, four pounds will be required. 

 Eor early feeding, sow about the time of corn planting. Eor 

 late feeding, sow in July; and it is a very good plan to sow the 

 seed in the corn at the last cultivation of the crop, say, in July. 



Question. — Is the Horned-Dorset sheep proof against the at- 

 tacks of dogs? 



Mr. Woodward. — No; nor is any other breed that I know. 

 The only advantage the Horned-Dorset has over any of the Down 

 breeds is for winter lamb raising. For this purpose it is superior 

 to all others. 



Question. — Will Mr. Woodw T ard tell how many sheep can be 

 housed in a shed 16 by 60 feet? How would he arrange it? 



Answer. — Sheep should have a cubic foot of air space to one 

 pound of live sheep. We put 20 ewes in a pen 16 feet square and 

 9 feet high. But the pen must be kept dry, light and properly 

 ventilated. You may easily estimate from these figures. I am 

 speaking now of breeding ewes. Sheep that are being fattened may 

 be somewhat more closely confined. But I should not put sheep 

 into a shed unless it were boarded up and made warm, dry, light 

 and comfortable. Of all the farm animals, sheep are least fitted 

 by nature to withstand cold, storm and abuse. They must have 

 good quarters, good and proper foods, and good care. Our sheep 

 are all in the barns, and have been since November, and were shorn 



