FOR SHOW RING AND MARKET. 157 



the whole list of our forage plants. Sheep eat them greed- 

 ily and prefer them to the sand or winter vetch. As a starter 

 for show sheep they are unsurpassed. Peas, oats, rape and 

 spring vetches sown together makes an ideal ration for fit- 

 ting show sheep. They are much hardier than peas and 

 after being cut down by frost will spring up again and make 

 a good crop. There is no doubt of its superiority over the 

 sand vetch, so far as its feeding value is concerned. The 

 spring vetch has a considerably larger and fleshier leaf and 

 stem than the sand vetch. Every flqckmaster should try a 

 small patch of spring vetches. The flock will most assuredly 

 appreciate it. 



Rye. 



In the early spring months rye furnishes a most appetizing 

 and succulent ration. for the flock, and where the fall growth 

 has been rank it may then be fed off without doing but little, 

 if any, damage to the plant, provided it is not fed off too late 

 in the season. Rye should be sown as soon as possible after 

 harvest. I have grown some very good crops of rye by 

 sowing it in the cornfield right after the corn is shocked. No 

 especial preparation of the ground need be employed other 

 than harrowing once or twice before seeding, and once after 

 to cover the seed. Rye grows very rapidly and should not 

 be allowed to get old and woody before being pastured. It 

 may be pastured for quite a while by the flock, after which 

 it may be allowed to mature, and it will be found, even then, 

 to make a pretty good yield of grain. It is not advisable to 

 turn the sheep on the rye when hungry, or when the rye is 

 heavily charged with moisture. Rye furnishes a fine ration, 

 when little else is at hand, for starting the show flock toward 



