184 



LIVESTOCK ON THE FARM 



Dwarf Essex rape sown in the spring makes excellent sheep 

 pasture after it comes up and has a good start. 



When sheep are kept in a woods pasture they do consider- 

 able work in clearing the land. They eat the sprouts, young 

 shoots and leaves as high as they can reach and this helps to 

 clear out the underbrush. 



Goats. For clearing land Angora goats are sometimes re- 

 commended in preference to sheep. These animals are similar 



FIG. 35. A farm flock of Shropshire grades. 



to sheep but they have hair (mohair) instead of wool. This mo- 

 hair is in considerable demand. But both for fleece and car- 

 cass goats are not so profitable as sheep. Neither sheep or 

 goats will eat bushes and weeds exclusively unless they are 

 forced to do so. They will take some grass in preference but 

 like a variety and will eat both. 



For goats a good high fence is needed. There should be 

 no brace posts on the inside of the fence to aid the goats to 

 climb out. 



