160 FITTING SHEEP 



Sainfoin. 



Sainfoin is a plant that is held in very high esteem among 

 English flockmasters. It is found growing more or less in 

 tire common pastures of that country and will flourish on ex- 

 ceedingly poor soil. The writer has seen it "flourishing as 

 the green bay tree" on no other sustenance than that found 

 in the mortar of an old wall on which it was growing. It 

 stands drought admirably, and grows luxuriantly on dry 

 chalky soils. In appearance it may be likened unto a dwarf 

 clover with an exceedingly fine leaf and stem and a very 

 diminutive golden colored flower. It makes one of the best 

 sheep foods known, and is very fattening. I have raised it in 

 this country and it appears to thrive all right, and there is 

 no doubt in the writer's mind but what it is a profitable crop 

 for the American flockmaster to raise. Before the value of 

 turnips was perfectly understood and appreciated in England, 

 this valuable plant was the mainstay of the flockmasters of 

 that country. Sainfoin makes the finest and best of all sheep 

 hay. 



Alfalfa or Lucerne. 



Alfalfa or lucerne is a valuable addition to the sheep's bill 

 of fare. I consider, however, that its real value lies more in 

 the shape of hay than as a soiling crop, for unless cut and 

 fed in racks there is considerable waste in feeding it, espe- 

 cially where it has attained any considerable growth. It is 

 necessary for the shepherd to keep a sharp look-out for 

 bloat while his sheep are being pastured on alfalfa; espe- 

 cially is this so in wet seasons. 



