FATTING. 141 



When sheep are fed on turnips, they are in general 

 confined to a particular portion of the field by nets or 

 hurdles. The latter, when made of Scotch fir, cost 

 about a shilling- each ; but, when constructed of larch, 

 the price is fourteen-pence. Those made of larch are 

 by far the more durable, and will last three years if 

 kept under cover during summer. Two men are re- 

 quired to set them up, besides a horse and cart to take 

 them to the field, on which account nets have a decided 

 preference, being easy of transportation, and requiring 

 little house-room. Though valuable in windy situa- 

 tions, nets cannot be used to enclose horned sheep, as 

 their heads become entangled with the cords. They 

 will seldom serve for more than three years, but as 

 they cost only threepence per yard, they may be con- 

 sidered as every way cheaper than hurdles. 



When the turnips allotted to the sheep, which seldom 

 exceed a week's supply, are consumed, another por- 

 tion of the field is enclosed ; while the shells are torn 

 up with a two-pronged hook, and either left there to be 

 consumed by the flock, or carted to another field for 

 the use of sheep not then intended to be fattened. A 

 fresh supply should always be afforded them before the 

 old one is eaten clean, otherwise their fattening will be 

 much retarded. It is usual to allow them at the same 

 time plenty of salt, placed up and down the field in 

 troughs or boxes,* and about a ton of hay in the ten 



* Old casks, wanting ends, form the best of all contrivances for hold- 

 ing salt for sheep, as when laid on their sides, and retained in that posi- 

 tion by stakes, they allow the sheep free admission, at the same time 

 that the salt is defended frora rain. 



