CARE OF PASTURED FIELDS. 



155 



a 



Fig. 80. PLAN OF SETTING 

 HURDLES. 



ter X. See fig. 79. These hurdles are merely placed 

 upon the ground, resting upon the ends of the stakes, 

 and may be rolled over and over from place to place. Set 

 end to end, they form a fence that is not only impene 

 trable, but is uninviting in appearance to a sheep given 

 to transgress beyond its legitimate bounds. An arrange 

 ment is common among shepherds in England by which 

 hurdles are used with great econo 

 my in material and labor of re 

 moval. A plot of about a square 

 acre is supposed to be inclosed. 

 This may be done by four lines of 

 hurdles, of 200 feet each. Half 

 an acre may be fed by placing the 

 fourth line across from the middle 

 of the second and third lines of 

 hurdles, thus dividing the plot. 

 The second half acre is fed by moving the fourth line to 

 the ends of the second and third. Adjoining plots are 

 fed in the same manner by moving three lines of hurdles, 

 leaving one to be one of the sides of the new plot. This 

 plan is followed until the whole field has been gone over. 

 Fig. 80 exhibits a diagram which shows each plot num 

 bered successively as fed. 



After a field is pastured, it should be rolled with a 

 smooth, heavy roller. Frequent rolling is very beneficial 

 to an irrigated meadow, smoothing and compacting the 

 surface ; but it should be done only when the ground is 

 dry, and in a line with the feeding canals. The roller 

 may be taken across the distributing furrows, when they 

 are properly made, but in no other direction than directly 

 across them. Wagons should be used very carefully upon 

 meadows, and should never be heavily loaded, lest ruts 

 may be cut to the injury of the surface. Wooden shod 

 sleds are preferable to wagons. In case a temporary bridge 

 across a canal or feeder is needed, it may be made by 



