186 



SHEEP DISEASES. 



era! thousand have been wiped out in from a few 

 hours to a few days. 



It is a well known fact that most of the losses 

 occur in the early spring when the sheep are hun- 

 gry for green stuff, or after shipment when the 



animals are so 

 nearly starved 

 they will eat greed- 

 ily any plant they 

 chance to come 

 upon. 



The two most 

 efficient methods of 

 prevention, there- 

 fore, are : First, 

 keep off the range 

 before the grass is 

 abundant, and, sec- 

 ond, keep the ani- 

 mals supplied with 

 sufficient food. 



In the early 

 spring certain poi- 

 sonous plants, such 

 as death camas, be- 

 gin to grow before 

 the grass. The 

 green, succulent 



shoots are eagerly nibbled and soon trouble en- 

 sues. If the animal's rumen is full, and it eats 

 but a few shoots of this plant, usually* no symp- 

 toms of poisoning follow. That is due to a lack 

 of absorption or the very slow absorption of such 



A PINE TREE GROWING IN SOLID 

 ROCK Favorite ranges for sheep 

 are composed of mountainous 

 scenes like this. A sheep will 

 thrive where other animals would 

 starve. 



