126 BRITISH SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. 



sheep in every way similar except that they have received 

 no roots, but have come straight from grass. Cabbages 

 and rape are good stepping-stones to roots, and white turnips 

 (probably owing to their ripeness) and rape are less injurious 

 than swedes. It is advisable to give very small quantities of 

 swedes at first, and to give with them a plentiful supply of dry 

 food, such as hay or hay chaff. The importance of dry food through- 

 out whiter cannot be too vividly remembered ; nor should the 

 season be allowed to advance too far before it is given. In the 

 case of either fattening or breeding sheep, a plentiful supply of 

 dry food is the most effective means of preventing losses in winter. 



Tegs in Winter. When the tegs get on to roots the turnip- 

 cutter should be set to work. Cabbages, kale, rape and white 

 turnips are soft enough to gnaw, but swedes and kohl-rabi 

 should be sliced. In the case of sheep which it is desired to get 

 out very quickly, it is preferable to slice white turnips, as they 

 satisfy their appetites more easily, and have thus a longer time to 

 rest and digest their food. The saving in food repays the cost of 

 labour, and the sheep thrive better. 



The corn should be increased as the sheep become fatter and 

 it is desired to get them quickly to the butcher. Under ordinary 

 circumstances a pound weight per day is all that it is advisable 

 to give. Large quantities are sometimes given, but the risk of 

 loss from overdoing is great. " There is another sheep dead this 

 morning, sir," is the unwelcome news every farmer who fattens 

 large quantities of sheep at high pressure knows only too well. 

 It occasionally results from eating too many unripe roots, but gener- 

 ally from what is known as " making too much blood." It is, 

 indeed, a form of paralysis caused by too much nitrogenous matter 

 in the blood, this being brought about by a diet containing an 

 excess of nitrogen. This presses on the brain, and the sheep 

 rapidly succumbs if assistance is not given. The obvious remedy 

 is to weaken the blood, and the shepherd does this by drawing 

 off a quantity as soon as possible. The corn must be withheld, 

 and only gradually returned to the sheep, as when one sheep shows 

 signs of excess it is probable that others of the flock are in danger. 

 It indicates that the corn is too nitrogenous, and that this must 

 be changed for a mixture which is more starchy. A sheep with 

 paralysis appears listless, and lies in a helpless condition. As 

 soon as signs of this are apparent, no time should be lost in relieving 

 it of blood. Half a pint may be taken away with safety. The 

 best vein to open is that on the side of the face, a little below the 

 junction of the eye orbit and nose. Some bleed by cutting the 

 ear ; others from the vein on the inside of the leg, a little above 

 the knee. If left too long the sheep will soon die. It is held 

 as being unscientific to let blood ; but I have saved too many 



