2 JANUARY. 



only on lands that are dry, otherwise the sheep 

 poach, and do mischief. The crop will not go 

 quite so far as if drawn and laid in a grass field ; 

 for the sheep dung, and stale, and trample on 

 many of the roots after they are begun, which oc- 

 casions some little waste : nor is there any loss of 

 manure in carting them, only it is left, in one 

 instance, on the arable field, and ; in the other, on 

 the grass one. No improvement can be greater 

 than this of feeding the sheep with turnips. On 

 whatever land they are given, the benefit is always 

 very great. 



It is further to be observed, that many sheep are 

 fattened on turnips, particularly wethers; in which 

 system o( husbandry many of the turnips are wasted, 

 f yea have not two flocks, one lean, to follow the 

 fatting sheep, and to eat up their leavings; for 

 ^heep will not eat clean in fattening. 



In very wet weather, storms, or deep snows, the 

 , sheep and lambs should be baited an hay. Some 

 farmers drive them to hay-stacks, which shelter and 

 feed them, but it is wasteful. Others give the hay 

 in moveable racks ; and allow a certain quantity 

 every day. It is an excellent method, to- allow them 

 m their racks a small quantity of hay daily while on 

 turnips, lot the weather be good or bad : but this is 

 not absolutely necessary. 



In some parts of the kingdom, the best farmers 

 give their ewes and lambs in this month bran and 

 oats, or oil-cake, in troughs, while they are feeding 



on 



