lo April, 1909.] Management of Ewes. 237 



As compared with rape, kale does not go very rapidly into seed. 

 The latter, when first showing, can be cut off and fed to stock ; the plant 

 then throws out additional sprouts and will last another year. For pad- 

 dock work, this does not suit ; the ground would be more profitably used for 

 a clean grain crop during this time, and besides kale cannot compare with 

 a mixture of rape and oats for bulk of fodder on ordinary grain growing 

 land. 



Rape is the most fattening plant, except in its early stages, when it is 

 more likely to scour and, in wet weather, to blow stock. But any ver\ 

 green feed, especially in showery weather, will scour sheep that have 

 l>een poor for a long time, and have consequently weak stomachs. 

 It does not pay to put poor sheep straight on to very green fodder crops ; 

 grass for a time to start them into a thriving condition is preferable. The 

 richer and more succulent the feed, the more likely it is to scour weak 

 sheep. Kale is a warmer tasted plant than rape, except, perhaps, during 

 the warm weather of spring. In rich soil, and a liberal rainfall, kale will 

 grow to 5 and 6 feet high, and if cultivated between the rows, will give 

 a surprising amount of fodder. 



It is of value for keeping stock in good health through the summer, and 

 especially for feeding to sick animals at this time of year. 



The writer has found kale most suitable for growing in very small 

 rich paddocks, but not for field planting. An acre or less of it, well 

 manured, with plenty of water, either by irrigation or rainfall, will last 

 two years, and a bag of leaves and sprouts to throw over the fence to 

 milking cows or stud sheep can always be obtained. 



On the farm of Mr. W. H. Yelland, at Newlyn, near Ballarat, the 

 writer recently saw kale and chou moellier growing side by side under 

 similar conditions. The kale was not so tall, but it had a greater number 

 of sprouts and gave every appearance of producing more feed per acre. 



Mr. Yelland speaks well of kale in his rich soil and, with such a 

 generous rainfall, he can pull a few bags of leaves and sprouts for his 

 stud Romney sheep or Hereford cattle every day through the summer. 



MANAGEMENT OF EWES. 



H. W . Ham, Sheep Expert. 



Several correspondents are inquiring about crutching ewes, trimming 

 feet, and whether cold affects the supply of milk when woolly udders are 

 cleaned. 



There are several reasons why ewes get fly-blown, and need crutching. 

 With special stud weaners, it is the excessive wool covering that is often 

 not well shorn away (coupled with folds) that retains the urine and gives 

 the maggots something to live in. Flies will blow nearly anything, but 

 maggots cannot live without moisture. With stud weaner ewes after shear- 

 ing, it is sometimes scald that attracts the flies, and produces conditions 

 under which the maggot can thrive. 



In all classes of weaners of either sex, black scour, caused bv the 

 presence of worms, is the most diflScult to manage. To clear the worms by 

 rape feeding and drenching is the first step towards prevention of flv-blow 

 in this class of sheep. 



