HYGIENE OF BEEEDING 881 



available, and will be less liable to complications in 

 consequence. 



All animals at this time are naturally shy, so that they 

 should not be interfered with unless it is absolutely 

 necessary. It is a good plan to have a small peep-hole in 

 the door of a foaling box, so that a valuable mare can be 

 watched without attracting her attention. 



Water-Supply . — The question of water-supply on a breed- 

 ing farm is also of great importance. As far as possible, 

 a supply of good running water should be available in every 

 field. Stagnant water forms an excellent breeding place for 

 all sorts of parasites, and should in consequence be carefully 

 avoided. In some places there is a common idea that sheep 

 do not require water every day, if being fed on succulent 

 herbage. This, we need hardly say, is an entirely erroneous 

 idea, and the difference in the condition where an ample 

 supply of water is available is very marked. 



Before leaving the question of the farm, we would 

 emphasize two points — viz., the necessity of maintaining the 

 land in high condition, if the best results are to be obtained, 

 and the value of scientific and thorough grazing. The 

 class of stock on the grazing land should be constantly 

 changed, or it will become ' sick ' of the particular class of 

 stock kept on it, and all tufts of old grass should be eaten 

 off before the winter, as they harbour ticks, which are 

 important carriers of disease — for instance, Bed- water. 



Selection of Type. — We now come to the consideration of 

 the points which are more directly concerned with breeding 

 itself. 



The breeder, having selected the breeds which are most 

 suited to the land and district, should then lay down for 

 each the exact type he aims at producing. For instance, 

 among cattle he may select the 'beef,' or ' milking,' type, 

 or may aim at a general purpose animal with both qualities 

 developed to a certain extent. 



Among horses he may select the thoroughbred, the 

 hunter, the polo pony, the hackney, the shire horse, etc. 



Among sheep he may select an essentially wooi-pro- 



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