SHEEP-RAISING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. 37 



good, clean water-supply is essential. If running water is not available, the flock 

 must be watered at least once a day. Horses sbould not be pastured in the same 

 field if it is possible to avoid it. When rushing about, as they do at times, the sheep 

 or lambs may be hurt. To ward off the attacks of the gadfly, which deposits a living 

 tfnih in the nostril, it is best to coat the muzzles of all the sheep with tar early in 

 the month of July. The tar can be warmed slightly and dabbed on with a small 

 brush. Otherwise the grubs lodge in the head and cause irritation and a discharge 

 from the nose in winter. Some kind of shade should be accessible in summer. Trees 

 provide the best shade, but failing them an old shed or board shelter will do. Sheep 

 will suffer if forced to bear the rays of the midday sun. 



Changing Pastures. Sheep are benefited more by changing their grazing-ground 

 than any other stock. It is their nature to roam over a wide area seeking fresh 

 pasture, and they are thus able to keep free of parasitic worms, etc. If a largf 

 pasture is divided up it will grow more feed and go further, and the change to fresh 

 ground two or three times during the season will benefit the flock greatly. 



Summer-grazing Crops. If pasture is scarce, as it usually is at some time during 

 the season, other grazing crops can be provided. Fall rye will provide fall and spring 



Sheep bady infested with ticks. 



feed, then oats mid peas, or equal parts of oats, wheat, and barley. Rape is a 

 fine grazing crop, and will ordinarily be ready two months after it comes up. It 

 can be sown broadcast, but is better drilled in rows 30 inches apart on the flat at 

 the rate of 2 Ib. per acre. A good stand of rape will carry twenty lambs an acre 

 for two months, and will put a fine finish on them, with a little grain to help. For 

 ewes with lambs on rape an acre a month for twenty-five head combined may be 

 reckoned sufficient. Sheep must not be turned on rape with stomachs empty. Rape 

 and kales are sometimes sown with small grains, such as wheat and oats, or in the 

 cornfield after the last cultivation, to be used as pasture in the fall. Alfalfa, like 

 pure clover, is liable to cause bloat if pastured. It is best to cut it and feed it. 

 Cabbage is also a good crop for sheep. 



Weaning. Four months of age is the usual time to wean lambs. Before wean- 

 ing they should be eating grain well, so that there will be no set-back. At wean in. u r - 

 time the ewes should be put on short pasture to become dry. They can be put to 

 glean the stubble-fields, etc. Hand-milking of some ewes is sometimes necessary to 

 prevent spoiled udders, but usually the milk is reabsorbed without trouble. 



