T1IF. IT.ROINO OF FAIIJI STOCK. ''■'' 



the grazier, in spite of the work of flu- Bcientifii orficeis of the Departinenl 

 »f Agriculture; who constantly urge the trial of various grasws and plants 



which have been proved to 1 f exceptional value when planted in many 



parts of the State. 



Ensilage — The necessity of conserving the natural fodder which makes 

 such abundant growth in the pastures in good seasons has constantly been 

 emphasis.nl by the Department. While mosl stockowners will agree as to 

 the wisdom of this course, few ait. nipt to put the principle into practice, 

 and forage that would help to carry stock over a dry season is still allowed 

 to go to waste. It is well understood that in some parts, owing to the 

 nature of the ground and herbage, and the presence of fallen timber and 

 stones, it is not possible to use farm machinery to get the crop off. Where 

 it is practicable, however, the farmer should never fail to turn the surplus 

 growth into ensilage, and thus insure himself in the most economical way 

 possible against drought. According to the district and season, prolific 

 growth of trefoil, marshmallow, variegated thistle, crowfoot, and other 

 herbage might well be utilised for the making of silage. Where the sheep- 

 owner is in a position to do it, silage can, of course, be made from most 

 of the green crops usually cultivated. Maize, sorghum, lucerne, wheat, 

 oats, and various grasses have all given successful results. 



Edible Trees and Shrubs. — Belts of edible shade trees which could be 

 lopped when necessary are not only of importance as emergency fodder, but 

 also aet as shelter from the weather both in summer and winter. The 

 ^heepowner should do all in his power to encourage the growth of such 

 valuable trees, instead of carelessly cutting them out, as has so frequently 

 been the case in the past. 



Some Points in Hand-feeding. 

 Commence Early. — It is important when a dry spell occurs not to wait 

 until the sheep have' lost condition and strength before starting: to hand- 

 feed. The weakness of a sheep that has been starved is reflected in all the 

 internal organs, and such an animal is unable to assimilate the nourishment 

 in the food which it invests. It can easily be understood that there is far 

 more chance of keeping up the condition of a healthy sheep than of one with 

 a constitution already weakened by lack of nourishment. The hand-feeding 

 might be commenced with small amounts while there is yet a little natural 

 food. 



Bulk Necessary when Grain is Fed. — Edible scrub, hay, dried grass, leaves, 

 etc., all help to keep active the voluminous digestive organs of ruminants. 

 These organs are accustomed to dealing with large masses of food, and they 

 will not efficiently do their work with small amounts of concentrated fodder. 

 The feeding of grain alone without the addition of some roughage will be 

 attended with disaster. In this connection, the straw, which is held of little 

 account in many wheat districts, would be of inestimable value in drought 

 time for making up the bulk of fodder so necessary to the digestive system 

 of the sheep. The cost of saving it would be amply repaid by the number of 

 sheep kept in health. 



Maintain the Health of the Flock. — Where food <>f a coarse, harsh nature is 

 used — and this applies very particularly to edible scrub — it is necessary to 

 give some laxative in order to prevent impaction of the bowels. The large 

 amount of fibrous matter in these foods, together with lack of water, tends to- 



