52 Rouen or Aftermath 



into the subject, I found that it had arisen evidently 

 from his changing his flock at the end of autumn to an 

 exclusive diet of turnips. So that by turning our 

 attention to other food for winter and spring I feel 

 sure that we shall not only feed our flocks much more 

 cheaply, but keep them in far healthier condition. I 

 now proceed to quote Young's experiences of the value 

 of what in his time was called rouen — or aftermath 

 saved for spring use. 



Young speaks highly of this practice, and " scarcely 

 knew a person who tried it that ever gave it up." He 

 had had twenty-five years' experience of its value. 

 Writing in 1771, he says that it was a common practice 

 in Dorsetshire, where the flockmasters placed their great 

 dependence upon it. In 1776 he found that Mr. Maurice, 

 in Shropshire, kept every year 30 acres for the support 

 of his cows and sheep till February. Young found the 

 system in practice in Suffolk. By Mr. Green's account 

 in 1785 he kept the aftermath of some of his meadows for 

 his dairy of twenty cows, and also for sheep and lambs, 

 till his cabbages are done in March, never stocking the 

 ground from mowing till that time. In a letter from a 

 Dr. Parry we are told that he considers rouen to be " a 

 cheap and valuable resource, which never fails except 

 when it is covered with snow. Last year my shepherd 

 was fully convinced that four acres of very indifferent 

 upland rouen given to my ewes and lambs saved at 

 least 3 tons of hay. Eouen supplies a sort of inter- 

 mediate food between the dry and the green." The 

 custom was pursued in Lancashire and Leicestershire 

 by some of the best farmers, who asserted it to be the 

 best and most certain spring food yet known. The 

 autumnal and spring shoots mix, and furnish together 

 more nutritious food than either taken separately. A 

 pasture thus preserved is depended upon as the sheet 

 anchor in preference to turnips, cabbages, or any other 

 species whatever of what is called spring food. This 

 kept grass gives more milk than turnips. Where 



