HIGH-CLASS SHEEP-BRKEDING. 91 



and sugars have been largely abstracted by an excess of 

 water, with which the ground has been long saturated, 

 and in which the plant has been immersed wholly, or 

 in part. There is httle doubt that aU the varieties of 

 ' Entozoa ' are generated from similar causes. 



In the early spring, when there is rapid growth of 

 vegetation — 'trefoUum' more especially — there is con- 

 siderable danger from hove, blood-strike, vertigo, or 

 apoplexy. The organisation of the vegetable has been 

 too rapid to be perfect in all its parts ; it, in conse- 

 quence, too readily ferments, and produces these evils. 

 A morning's feed of hay obviates considerably the danger 

 from this, and the use of salt is very beneficial. 



In the summer, when the grasses have shed their seed, 

 the dry leaves and seed-stems contain little nourishment. 

 The albumen and starch have departed from them, as well 

 as the alkalies. They, therefore, do not contain the needful 

 for the formation of blood. The water, Ukewise, has dried 

 out of them. It is, therefore, requisite to supply, in arti- 

 ficial food, these deficiencies, otherwise the animal shrinks 

 in flesh and fatty tissue. If there has been an abundant 

 seeding of the grasses and trefolium — and these seeds, 

 and the oleaginous seeds of the thistle, he intermingled 

 with the dried grasses^ — sheep will keep in fair condi- 

 tion, provided that they have sufficient water ; but valu- 

 able animals should have a httle aid from artificial 

 grasses — alfalfa, in a green state. There can be no ques- 

 tion of the advantages of giving such animals a little 

 green food in the cool of the evening. During the long, 

 hot days, with all the insect annoyances, animals cannot 

 feed. They collect in groups, seeking shade from one 

 another ; and it can be well conceived how grateful a 

 bite of cold green fodder must be to them in the even- 

 ings. If they are ' shedded,' put into ' galpones,' or sheds, 



