OPEN GRAZING AND CLOSE FOLDING. I'JI 



to prove a profitable stock. The case of the lambs is different, 

 and much depends upon their destination. Ram lambs should 

 be pushed on as fast as possible, whereas ewe lambs should 

 have little or no cake, the quantity depending upon the object 

 which the breeder has in view. Store lambs will do very well 

 on summer fodder without extra assistance. In making these 

 remarks I have in view flocks in enclosed districts, and not 

 hill flocks, which are so little acquainted with cake and hay- 

 chaff, sliced turnips, and other artificial modes of feeding, that 

 they have been known to stampede at the very sight of them 

 and their accessories. 



OPEN GRAZING AND CLOSE FOLDING. 



A general survey of the methods of grazing sheep during 

 summer shows two principles in ordinary use open grazing 

 and close folding. The first of these systems prevails on all 

 sheep walks and in a number of enclosed districts. Perhaps 

 the most ordinary idea of feeding sheep in summer is to turn 

 them into fields and allow them to roam and select their own 

 food. Ewes with their young lambs are put into a fresh piece 

 of clover and rye-grass, and, where the management is liberal, 

 a few troughs are to be seen in which oats or a little cake are 

 supplied daily. The management consists in inspection from 

 time to time, and the chief evils to be guarded against are 

 scour, flies, sore heads, breaking through fences, and other 

 casualties which must be seen to. These are so numerous 

 that a farmer seldom walks round among his sheep without 

 feeling pleased that he has paid them a visit. At one time he 

 finds a ewe on her back in a furrow, at another a lamb 

 entangled in brambles or hung up in a gate or sheep-net, or he 

 may just arrive in time to prevent the whole flock from 

 wandering through a gap into a field of standing corn. It 

 would, therefore, be untrue to say that this system involves no 

 care or trouble, but it is nevertheless comparatively simple. 

 The general result of this system of open grazing is satis- 



