1046 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK xn. 



ewes may be marked when they are served : when nearly all the ewes 

 have been tupped the colour should be changed to blue, so that any 

 which come to the ram again may be noted. 



This is a busy month for the shepherd, as in many instances it is 

 the commencement of the winter season on arable farms, the sheep 

 being taken off the clovers and stubbles, and folded on roots. If the 

 sheep have not been already dipped to destroy parasites, no time should 

 be lost in doing this, for the wool is getting long and the sheep heavy 

 and unwieldy. Mangel should be got up during this month, and very 

 often considerable loss results from feeding off the leaves and small 

 roots left behind : as there is so much risk it is doubtful economy to 

 feed them, and unless other sheep-keep is very scarce it would be more 

 prudent to let them rot. If they are fed, however, they should be 

 allowed to wither and never be fed with frost on them. A free allow- 

 ance of hay or other dry food should be given with them. The custom 

 of giving dry food is often delayed too long, especially to ewes in 

 seasons when there is a plentiful supply of green food, consequently it 

 is generally noticed there is a heavier and more healthy fall of lambs 

 in seasons when green crops have been deficient throughout autumn. 



Hill-pastured sheep which are not thriving may recover and do well 

 if placed in fields in which there are either naturally formed sheltered 

 places, or better still in which sheds can be erected. See that all 

 " stells " are in good repair. It will pay in the long run if one " stell " 

 be provided with a small structure, in which various medicines and 

 necessaries useful in emergencies can be stored up, under lock and key, 

 and one part of which may afford room for a shelter for the shepherd, 

 and be fitted with one of the small but admirably acting stoves to be had 

 so cheaply now. By providing such a place, and with such conveniences 

 and " stock," many a good lamb or sheep may be saved which would 

 otherwise be lost. Attend to the general condition of the flock as 

 regards health, and the diseases to which sheep are so liable ; provide 

 in short as far as possible for all likely contingencies in the way of 

 accidents, &c., &c , in the severe weather now coming on. 



NOVEMBER. 



On arable farms the sheep will now be on the roots, and will continue 

 so throughout winter. It always paj r s best to slice the roots, for there 

 is less waste, and the sheep have more time to digest them ; soft white 

 turnips are scarcely worth slicing, for they are soft enough to gnaw and 

 so are an exception to the rule. Cabbage is particularly useful at this 

 season and is the best of the succulent crops, being both nutritious and 

 safe. Many sheep are lost yearly by being put on swedes too early, 

 that is before the roots are ripe, the amount of loss caused in this way 

 by the upsetting of the system being incalculable ; sheep-feeders know 

 that this risk is great so they are always prepared to give a shilling or 

 more per head for those which are "broken in" to roots, than they are 

 for equally good sheep straight off the grass. Cabbage is a convenient ' 

 stepping-stone from grass to swedes, and the injury is avoided by 



