THE MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP ON THE FARM. 15 
HURDLES. 
Hurdles are a great aid in handling sheep under certain circum- 
stances. They are convenient in pasturing on rape and similar 
crops where the sheep are to be confined to a portion of the field. 
This is desirable in that it prevents the sheep picking out the choicest 
pasture first and leaving the poorest for the last when, as a matter of 
fact under fattening conditions, the best should be available. Fencing 
off part of the field in this way also makes more frequent the rotation 
of pasture. Woven-wire fencing is also used for making temporary 
inclosures. Drawings and dimensions of sheep hurdles are shown 
in figures 2 and 3. 
Fic. 1.—Showing dimensions of a crate similar to the one shown in Plate ITI, figure 1. 
Netting has largely taken the place of hurdles in England. Both 
cord and wire netting are used. The former has proved the more 
popular. The cord is water-proofed by a mixture of oil and tar. 
The netting is fastened to temporary stakes either by the use of ropes 
or staples. Sheep farming in this country has not been intensive 
enough to warrant a very extensive use of these appliances, but they 
may be more in evidence in the future. Hurdles are also convenient 
in making temporary pens. Lighter hurdles that can be handled 
readily have a place upon every sheep farm. They are well worth 
their cost. 
