S02 THE SHEEEP OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



When size is a consideration the ewes are run thin on the 

 land, one to two and a half or three acres ; we seldom find more 

 than a ewe to two acres, the produce being fed out ; this gives 

 about a sheep to the acre — not heavy stocking, but the size and 

 weight of the sheep must be considered. Where it is not 

 important to have individuals so large, a system of close 

 hurdling is pursued, which, when properly managed, has many 

 advantages. It consists in accustoming the sheep to graze on a 

 limited area, and to have frequent change. For instance, instead 

 of turning the ewes and lambs into a field of young seeds, when 

 they can just pick out the more dainty parts and leave the 

 grasses untouched, two folds are made, the sheep are turned 

 into the first, which communicates with the second by a lamb 

 <;reep. In the front pen are placed the troughs for holding 

 artificial food for the lambs. According to the quantity of food 

 the surface is cleared ; sometimes a few days only suffice to clear 

 a large field. More stock can be kept on a given quantity of 

 iood than when they range at large, and it is easier to provide 

 a regular supply. In the young stage constant change is desir- 

 able, and the best flockmasters generally contrive two shifts a 

 day, Sainfoin is the sheet anchor of the sheep farmer ; the bay 

 is of the greatest use during the lambing season, and the second 

 growth affords a capital pasture for weak or sickly lambs. 

 Indeed, a good sainfoin field may be regarded as the farmer's 

 hospital. We hold that it is good practice to give the lambs a 

 little extra food as soon as they can be induced to eat it ; there 

 are fewer losses, the constitution is strengthened to resist 

 unfavourable conditions, and the sheep are sooner ready for the 

 butcher. Commencing with a small allowance of dust cake, 

 oats, beans, meal, &c., and continuing the same in increasing 

 ratio up to the time when they go to the butcher (which should 

 be when about a year old), we have frequently sold hoggets 

 weighing 241b. to 251b. a quarter under a year old. The feeding 

 qualities of the Cotswolds were subjected to careful experiments 

 by Mr. Lawes, who found that in comparison with Downs, they 

 consumed the least food to produce a given amount of increase, 

 and made the greatest progress in a given time. The fat is 

 principally external, and the flesh is coarse and open. 



The Cotswold Hills, though formerly rough pasture, are now 



