CHAPTER I. 



ASPECTS OF A SHEEP FARM. 



The features of a sheep farm to come under observa- 

 tion are the soil, the drainage, the herbage, the climate, 

 the shelter, and the water supply, and the more one 

 knows about their bearing the more exactly may he 

 determine the capacity and value of a property for the 

 purpose of sheep farming. 



The ideal soil for sheep is recognised as a sandy 

 loam. There are all sorts of modifications in soils, how- 

 ever, and so long as the natural drainage of the country 

 is good, by porosity or waterflow, the land is invariably 

 adapted for sheep. Limestone soils are good for sheep 

 raising ; in fact a great part of the sheeplands through- 

 out the world exhibits a greater or less proportion of 

 limestone in its composition, visibly or upon analysis. 

 The sea coast lands, often rough and rocky and of a 

 sandy nature, suit sheep well, and so do the carboni- 

 ferous soils of the coal regions. 



Drainage may be by porosity, as exemplified by 

 sandy soils and loams, or, oil the stiffer lands, by the 

 escape of waters into creeks and rivers. Hilly and 

 rolling country are well adapted for sheep, there is ready 

 drainage ; while swampy and wet sodden land is quite 

 unsuited to them. Where the land is such that water 

 stagnates and finds no ready escape the health of a flock 

 is always liable to be affected. Continuous damp condi- 

 tions will cause internal complaints and footrot, most 

 unwelcome and profit-destroying visitors to a flock. The 

 original haunt of the sheep was the hill or the mountain, 

 and the animal was naturally therefore accustomed to 

 a dry footing, which it requires if health is to be main- 

 tained. By the handiwork of domestication, skill in 



