520 



THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. 



BOOK IV. 



the entrance end to guide the sheep into it, as indicated in the diagram 

 (fig. 133). 



" Before the sheep are driven through the trough their feet should be 

 well pared ; then walk them quietly through and let them remain in 

 Pen No. 2 for half an hour or so before taking them back to their 

 pasture. If sheep are badly attacked I would recommend drawing out 

 all the affected ones, and passing them through the trough a second 

 time, after remaining for half an hour in the pen. Should this not 

 cure them, repeat the process in a fortnight or three weeks' time. 

 Having got free from foot-rot, the passing of the flock through this 

 solution twice a year will completely prevent an} r new attack. Before 

 adopting this plan my sheep were scarcely ever free from the disease. 



Wall | 



Wall 



Fig. 133. Plan of arrangement for Dressing Feet of Sheep. 



Now I have not a single case, and have had none since I first resorted 

 to the practice in 1885." 



The best time for turning sheep into summer pasture is in April or 

 May, according to the lateness of the season, when every attention 

 should be paid to proportion the number according to the luxuriance 

 of the grass. It is worthy of notice, that by pursuing a system of as 

 cZose feeding as is fairly practicable, the plants will be prevented from 

 running to seed, and the grasses that are coarse and unprofitable will be 

 kept down, and the pasture rendered sweet and valuable. As the number 

 to be allotted to an acre depends on the weight of the stock, the rich- 

 ness of the soil, and the forw ardness of the pasture, it must be evident 

 that no general rule can be applied to this branch of management. It 

 must be wholly regulated by circumstances. A certain number of 

 store cattle should be allowed to run with the sheep, otherwise all the 

 finer bottom grasses will be eaten up, and the long and coarse ones 

 remain untouched. On some pastures which are kept entirely for 

 sheep-feed this is not necessary, as by being constantly grazed with 

 sheep the herbage has been rendered fine, and farmers have a strong 

 objection to turning in any other stock. 



Of late years, it has become a frequent practice to soil sheep during 

 summer with the various artificial grasses, and to supply them with 

 corn or cake, as well as green food, during winter. 



Cole-seed, cabbage, and thousand-headed kale supply excellent food 

 for sheep during the winter, particular!}' towards the close of that 



