19^0.] The Value of Lupins on Poor Light Land. 9S9 



alkaloids are toxic, or fatal, if a sufficient quantity of the plant 

 is consumed, but they are harmless if the consumption is below 

 a certain limit ; up to this point the lupins may be a useful food 

 if precautions are taken that the limit is not exceeded. The 

 alkaloids can also be largely removed by leaching with water.. 

 The author states that the actual cause of death when it occurs 

 from lupin poisoning is paralysis of respiration. In the treat- 

 ment of lupin poisoning, good results were obtained from 

 potassium permanganate and from tea. All parts of the lupin 

 plant examined were found to be poisonous, the seed being 

 most toxic. The investigation showed that the toxic sub- 

 stance is excreted by the kidneys, and that the intoxication 

 is not cumulative. 



Animals may eat comparatively large quantities with no e\ il 

 results if the toxic limit is not reached at any one time. Poison- 

 ing can be avoided by careful handling of the flocks, and bv 

 special care being taken to see that hungry sheep are not 

 grazed on fields where there is much lupin. 



These latter observations agree with the experience of Suffolk flock- 

 masters. Thus Mr. A. M. Rope, of Leiston, who has had extensive 

 experience of folding lupins, states that he has never lost any sheep 

 through lupin poisoning. He finds, however, that it is important to 

 begin folding lupins gradually, especially if much seed be present in the 

 green pods. If feeding be not begun gradually, the sheep become 

 paralysed. He considers that it is important not to put hungry sheep 

 on lupins, and that the sheep are not so liable to " blow," or become 

 distended with wind, on lupins as on coleworts, or on a clover-ley. 

 iVIr. Rope is not in the least afraid of poisoning when folding lupins. 



]\lr. H. I^^ilcher, of Hazlewood Hall, considers that it does not matter 

 very much whether the lupins are in the late-flowering stage or in the 

 pod when folded, but his shepherd prefers a few pods. Sheep on his 

 farm have often become paralysed through eating lupins, but they have 

 always recovered. He finds that sheep must not be allowed to feed on 

 lupins for long at a time, but that it is better to give them a short time 

 on the fold at first, and gradually to extend the time. Mr. John Goddard, 

 of Tunstall, finds that sheep become very fond of lupins, and unless care 

 is exercised, they eat too much. 



Mr. John Goddard sows a mixture of oats, tares and lupins. An 

 excellent crop of similar mixture, with a few coleworts added, was seen 

 by the writer on Mr. H. Fulcher's farm, on a field recently reclaimed 

 from the heath. When a mixture of this kind is fed, it would appear 

 that practically all danger of lupin poisoning disappears, as the sheep 

 cannot eat enough lupins at once to cause trouble. 



Mr, H. P. Skeet finds that a mixture of lupins, oats, and coleworts 

 niakes an excellent fold for lambs. He does not consider it desirable 

 to fold pregnant ewes on lupins as the lupins are heating, and trouble 

 at lambing time from sore teats and bad feet is likely to ensue. 

 When fed to sheep in the summer, Mr. Skeet considers that lupins help 

 to'expel intestinal worms. As far as the writer is aware^ the only farm 



