136 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



enclosed by hurdles and eaten off a block at a time. 

 In very wet or bad weather some are pulled and 

 carried to the sheep, being fed on grass or in open 

 sheds. 



The use of roots is productive of great good to 

 the ewe flock. They are succulent and start a nat- 

 ural milk flow, whereas grain naturally goes more 

 to producing flesh and fat. There is no danger of 

 the ewes consuming too many roots. They push her 

 easily and naturally to a strong flow of milk that 

 has very healthful properties. Ewes highly fed on 

 grain often give milk that is injurious to their lambs. 

 Of this there is no danger when roots are substituted 

 in large part for the grain. 



The shepherd who can readily grow roots has a 

 distinct advantage over the one who relies upon 

 dry hay and grain for wintering his ewe flock. Most 

 of the best-developed sheep, the ones seen at our 

 fall shows, come from root-growing regions. Un- 

 happily turnips are not very easily grown in the 

 cornbelt and below, though mangels will thrive well 

 to the southward. 



In England and Canada swede turnips form the 

 bulk of the roots grown for sheep. They should be 

 sown on productive soil, well prepared. The time 

 of sowing varies with climates, but usually early in 

 July the seed should go into the ground. It is well 

 to have the land ridged nicely and to sow the seed 

 on the top of the ridge, which makes much easier 

 hoeing and thinning or " singling. " In dry climates 

 of course ridging must be attempted with caution 



