310 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



with all the water that they need. In moist climates they 

 are frequently found in such a condition through all the 

 spring and early summer and again in the autumn; in 

 some instances through the whole of the same, and in 

 others only in the late autumn. But even in moist 

 climates, during a part of the summer, the grass alone 

 will not furnish water adequate to the needs of the sheep. 

 (2) Where the grasses supplemented by the dews fur- 

 nish a sufficient supply of water, though neither of these 

 sources alone would furnish an ample supply. But the 

 influences that produce succulent food also favor copious 

 dews, hence when succulence in the food fails beyond a 

 certain degree, the dews shrink also, hence in the heat of 

 summer both of these sources taken together are really 

 inadequate to furnish the sheep with all the water that 

 they need. (3) When sheep are feeding on supplemen- 

 tary foods, such as rape, which contains so much succu- 

 lence that water is not necessary. It would not be safe 

 to assume, however, that sheep will not profit from ac- 

 cess to water when feeding on rape. The degree of the 

 succulence found in rape varies much with the climatic 

 conditions under which it is grown. The consumption 

 of water and consequently the need for the same increases 

 with increase in the summer heat. Sheep will unques- 

 tionably profit from access to water in summer, when 

 they will drink it in any considerable quantities. To de- 

 prive them of water when on dry pastures is simply cruel, 

 and the results from' such deprivation are intensified as 

 the weather waxes warmer. 



Sheep may not need water in winter when they are 

 given large quantities of succulent food, as, for instance, 

 field roots. This may hold good though they are given 

 a fattening ration. But in practice they are seldom given 

 enough roots to preclude the necessity for giving water. 

 The necessity for supplying water increases : (i) With the 

 closeness of the confinement ; (2) with the stimulating 

 character of the food fed; and (3) with the extent to 



