MANNER OF FEEDING SHEEP. 63 



season of the year : but it is improper to delay water- - 

 ing for too long a time ; because they drink in one 

 day almost as much as they would have done in the 

 preceding days, when they went without drinking. 

 This great quantity of water taken at once, does them 

 more hurt than if it had been taken at different days. 

 This excess causes the overflowing of water, to 

 which sheep are very liable from their temperament. 



Q. When sheep eat snow, will it prove hurtful to 

 them? 



A. No, and it was proved in the following man- 

 ner : sheep where shut up in a close stable, for several 

 days together, without being allowed to go out ; they 

 Were fed during the time with straw and hay, with- 

 out giving them drink ; and were afterwards driven 

 to a field, for several days, when it was covered with 

 snow ; they eat a good deal of it from being very 

 thirsty, and received no injury thereby. 



Q. Why does dew and white frost prove injurious 

 to sheep, when snow is not ? 



A. It appears that snow is not hurtful to sheep, 

 because they take it only at such times as they are 

 thirsty, or heated with dry food ; whilst grass, filled 

 with dew or white frost, makes them cold, causes in- 

 digestion, and gives them a relax : sheep will refuse 

 dew and white frost, but eat sncw with avidity. 



Q. Is it necessary to give salt to sheep ? 



A. Where sheep are fed on dry land, and are 

 healthy, salt may be dispensed with : sheep are seen 

 in good health in places, where no salt is given them. 

 But in marshy grounds, where they are liable to the 



