152 THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF 



strongly impressed upon the reader that 

 his land should never be overstocked. 

 Where, owing to any circumstance which 

 cannot be avoided, the food is insuffi- 

 cient to feed the stock in hand, the 

 farmer is placed at a great disadvan- 

 tage, for he must either buy food — which 

 will absorb his profit — or sell a portion 

 of his stock below its value. From this 

 point of view it is better to be over-rented 

 than overstocked. 



We would finally point out to those who 

 contemplate the addition of a few ewes to 

 their stock that, like every other branch 

 of work upon the farm, sheep demand special 

 knowledge and experience if they are to be 

 successfully managed. They invariably give 

 some trouble, although this is minimised by 

 care at the hands of the owner during 

 summer, especially from foot-rot, which is 

 easily caught, as it is most contagious, 

 and the attacks of flies, while they are 

 especially liable to a foul and costly com- 

 plaint known as 'scab,' which is caused 

 by the presence of a very active organism 

 which finds its way beneath the skin. 

 Washing, shearing, and dipping are also 

 essential, and all involve labour. 



