THE FEEDING OF RAPE 297 



"They should be tagged before being turned in 

 upon the rape, or soon after, as they are liable to 

 become purged to some extent at the first. They 

 should not be turned in upon the rape when hungry 

 at any time, as they may so gorge themselves that 

 bloating, followed by death, may ensue. When 

 they have access to an old grass pasture at the 

 same time, the grass eaten by them is usually very 

 effective in preventing scours and other disorders 

 arising from impaired digestion. When the ani- 

 mals are once turned in upon the rape it is not 

 necessary to remove them, unless in time of severe 

 and prolonged storms of rain or sleet. At such 

 times they may be given the protection of sheds 

 when these are available, otherwise the shelter of 

 a grove may prove of some service. After they 

 have fed upon rape from two to two and a half 

 months they will be ready for market. When it is 

 desired to carry on the lambs into the winter 

 months after the season for pasturing is over, they 

 will go on improving in fine form where the man- 

 agement is judicious. In other words, pasturing 

 on rape is an excellent preparation for winter 

 feeding. 



"The sheep or lambs should be visited two or 

 three times a day by the shepherd. This may be 

 done on foot when the flocks are small, but when 

 feeding over large areas the aid of a saddle horse 

 should be called in. When sheep get fat and 



