SMALL HOLDINGS 151 



provide for the requirements of the flock, 

 and they enrich the soil. Thus, where turnips 

 are grown by the aid of superphosphate and 

 consumed by sheep which are receiving rich 

 dry food, the lambs or tegs are fatted off, and, 

 at the same time, a large proportion of the 

 superphosphate and of the manurial con- 

 stituents of the cake and corn is returned 

 to the land in the manure voided by the 

 flock. Obviously, a small farmer is seldom 

 in a position to farm on a strict rotation 

 system ; his root and forage crops are usually 

 valued at something more than sheep food; 

 but if this were not so it is quite possible 

 that in most instances the labour involved 

 in folding off a small plot of land eveiy 

 day for a few head of sheep would occupy 

 too much of the time at the command 

 of the tenant, who would be better 

 occupied. 



A few breeding ewes of large size and 

 strong constitution — and when purchased 

 they should not have more than four 

 permanent teeth — can always be kept 

 with advantage where there is room for 

 them. Should the grass land permit of 

 their addition to the grazing stock, so 

 much the better ; but it cannot be too 



