CHAPTER IV. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE FLOCK. 



OVER-STOCKJXG. 



This is worse than a blunder, it is almost a crime There 

 is no sadder spectacle for the pastoralist than for his sheep 

 to be slowly but surely dying of starvation, and to have the 

 knowledge that his own act in keeping too many sheep on his land 

 is the main cause of the trouble. The loss is not confined to the 

 reduction of the flock by deaths. The survivors have their con- 

 stitutions enfeebled by the severe trial to which they have been 

 subjected, and the effect is seen in the produce for several 

 generations. The pastures are seriously injured by overstocking, as 

 all the wholesome and nutritious plants are eaten out, and in many 

 cases completely destroyed. This is the opportunity for the 

 unwholesome and innutritions plants, which are enabled to take 

 complete possession of the soil. 



Though the evils resulting from over-stocking have been 

 demonstrated time after time in Australia, it is nevertheless the most 

 common fault committed by our flockmasters. When seasons are 

 fairly good the temptation to " stock up " which means to put on 

 as many sheep as the land will carry under the most favorable 

 circumstances seems to be irresistible. All former experiences 

 are neglected and the flock is increased, till a drought (for which no 

 preparation has been made) occurs, and the injury done to the 

 flock is far greater than any profit that accrued during the good 

 time. 



CONSERVATION OF FODDER. 



There are few districts in Australia in which there cannot be 

 some preparation made in good seasons to conserve fodder to help 

 the stock over a bad time. This fodder in the back country, where 

 cultivation is seldom or never practised, may take the form of bush 

 hay or silage. It does not matter much \vhat plants are used so 

 long as a sufficient quantity of rough food be saved to prevent the 

 sheep from dying of starvation. In the hottest and driest localities 

 of our island-continent there occur seasons when there is an abun- 

 dant vegetation. The wise sheep-breeder will be ready to take 

 advantage of such opportunities, and put into hay and silage stacks 

 as much fodder as his means will permit. 



Where the natural grasses are scanty much may be done by 

 fencing in a block of land and either sowing the seeds of the best 

 grasses, or, if they already exist on the land, permitting them to seed 



