250 THE STOCKFEEDER'S COMPANION 



generally be made in the late morning, or early after- 

 noon, when the leaves or tops are comparatively dry, 

 in order to prevent the food from scouring the sheep. 

 Roughly speaking, an acre (2O-ton crop) of swedes 

 would keep about 300 sheep for a week, allowing 

 21 Ibs. per head per day. An acre (i 5 -ton crop) 

 would keep 300 sheep for a week if only 16 Ibs. roots 

 were allowed per head per day. 



Some farmers sow a little salt on the tops of the first 

 break of turnips, to prevent the sheep from becoming 

 " hoven " or " blown." 



Feeding-hurdle System. This is intended to apply 

 to the system of using feeding-hurdles against the part 

 which has to be fed off. It differs from the folding 

 system, inasmuch as the hurdles are daily shifted 

 forward against the roots. The sheep are not allowed 

 to get their feet on or taint the roots, but may put their 

 heads between the bars of these feeding-hurdles and 

 eat the roots at leisure. This is a very economical 

 way, although the expense of getting these hurdles is 

 greater than that of the ordinary hurdles, and much 

 more -than that of getting nets or wire-netting. There 

 is also more trouble in moving the hurdles forward each 

 day. 



This method is very conveniently applied in feeding 

 off rape, vetches, and other forage crops. 



Feeding Cut Roots. The roots, which have been 

 topped, tailed, and put into small heaps or " tumps," 

 are covered over with " tops," rough grass, straw, or soil, 

 to protect them from the frost. These heaps are made 

 of a convenient size, and placed at such a distance 

 apart as to expedite feeding. The sheep would then 

 be divided up into lots not exceeding 100 each, and 

 drafted so as to have the forward ones together for 



