194 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



first the sheep are introduced to the rape gradually that is, 

 by allowing them to graze but a short time the first day, and 

 increasing the time from day to day until they are allowed 

 to remain all the time on the rape. Before turning them on 

 to the grazing each day they are fed liberally dry hay or 

 grain, or are allowed to satisfy the appetite, in great part at 

 least, by grazing on a grass pasture. From half a week to a 

 week is usually occupied in thus preparing them for perma- 

 nent grazing on the rape. 



By the second method they are allowed to take all the 

 safe food that they can consume of some material that they 

 relish, as good grass, and thenceforth they are put upon the 

 rape and not removed from it unless in case of severe storm. 

 This method is much simpler than the other, and it is not 

 usually attended with much hazard when the sheep have 

 access to an old grass pasture. In no instances should sheep 

 be turned in to graze on rape when they are hungry. Close 

 attention should be given to the sheep while being grazed on 

 rape, as the assurance is never present that there will be no 

 loss from bloating. It would seem quite safe to say that such 

 losses decrease: (i) With increase in the maturity of the 

 rape; (2) with decrease in its succulence from any cause or 

 causes ; and (3) with increase in the other food given along 

 with the rape, especially in the dry form. Increase in the 

 maturity of the rape or decrease of moisture in the climate 

 lessens succulence in the rape, and as a result makes it a safer 

 food. In the author's experience rape grown in Ontario, 

 Canada, caused bloat with much more frequency than rape 

 grown west of the upper Mississippi. But nowhere is the 

 liability to bloat so little present as to justify grazing very 

 valuable sheep upon it without exercising all due caution to 

 make it impossible for bloating to arise. This may be done 

 by turning them on to the rape only after having eaten freely 

 of other food. Another safe way is to cut the rape and feed 

 it more or less wilted, according to the amount fed. When 

 rape is grown amid the grain stubbles the liability to bloating 

 is reduced, because of the presence of other food. It is also 



