THE FEEDING OF RAPH 297 
"They should be tagged before being turned in 
upon the rape, or soon after, as they are liable to 
become purged to some extent at the first. They 
should not be turned in upon the rape when hungry 
at any time, as they: may so gorge themselves that 
bloating, followed by death, may ensue. When 
they have access to an old grass pasture at the 
same time, the grass eaten by them is usually very 
effective in preventing scours and other disorders 
arising from impaired digestion. When the ani- 
mals are once turned in upon the rape it is not 
necessary to remove them, unless in time of severe 
and prolonged storms of rain or sleet. At such 
times they may be given the protection of sheds 
when these are available, otherwise the shelter of 
a grove may prove of some service. After they 
have fed upon rape from two to two and a half 
months they will be ready for market. When it is 
desired to carry on the lambs into the winter 
months after the season for pasturing is over, they 
will go on improving in fine form where the man- 
agement is judicious. In other words, pasturing 
on rape is an excellent preparation for winter 
feeding. 
“The sheep or lambs should be visited two or 
three times a day by the shepherd. This may be 
done on foot when the flocks are small, but when 
feeding over large areas the aid of a saddle horse 
should be called in. When sheep get fat and 
