28O FORAGE CROPS. 



grass pasture, sheep can be kept on succulent food 

 all the season. 



4. That with the aid of such pastures a much 

 larger number of sheep can be kept upon an arable 

 farm than could be sustained by grass pastures with- 

 out the aid of these. The extent of such increase 

 will depend upon a number of conditions. 



5. That such a system of pasturage is eminently 

 helpful in destroying weeds and also eminently 

 beneficial to the land, as explained above. 



The Principle in the Experiment. It may be 

 mentioned here, and with much propriety, that this 

 experiment is not intended to be an absolute guide 

 for the farmer. The chief aim sought in carrying 

 it on was to demonstrate the possibility and the 

 practicability of pasturing sheep during the greater 

 portion of the season on pastures other than grass, 

 that is to say, on pastures sown expressly for the 

 purpose. The principle thus sought has been dem- 

 onstrated, notwithstanding that many things about 

 it are yet undetermined, as, for instance, the relative 

 suitability of certain foods for the purpose, and the 

 very best methods of growing them, also the rela- 

 tive profit in pasturing sheep thus as compared with 

 pasturing them on grass only. Some of these, of 

 course, can never be determined other than in an 

 approximate way. 



The Application of the Principle. The appli- 

 cation -of the principle must be made by the flock- 

 master himself, and in consonance with the nature 

 of his surroundings. For instance, he must ascer- 

 tain, first, which of these summer crops are the best 

 adapted to his conditions ; second, how many of them 

 he will grow and the relative acreage of each ; third, 



