262 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



other forage than the dried pea vines give, nor of 

 other grain than the peas. Gains on this ration are 

 very large and the quality of mutton produced un- 

 excelled. The growth of this new industry has been 

 very rapid indeed, since practically the first efforts 

 were made in the winter of 1901-1902, when about 

 3,000 lambs were fed, and it is said that in the win- 

 ter of 1904-1905 160,000 fat lambs left the San Luis 

 and adjacent valleys of Colorado. It is probable, 

 too, that this is the beginning of the industry, for 

 there are doubtless other valleys in Colorado high 

 enough, cool enough and dry enough to grow peas 

 well, and so of Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. 



CANADIAN PEAS FOR LAMB FEEDING. 



The Canadian field pea is similar to the common 

 garden pea. It has no relationship to the southern 

 cowpea. The Canadian pea thrives during cool and 

 moist weather ; it grows a large vine and sets freely 

 with peas. All animals relish peas, which are not 

 only delicious to the taste but very nutritious. Peas 

 are very rich in protein, having in fact about the 

 same composition as milk, minus the water. Peas 

 are easily digested. 



Not all regions are adapted to the growth of the 

 field pea. In the cornbelt they thrive if they can 

 be sown early enough, but then they must be prompt- 

 ly fed as a soiling crop or else cured into hay. Oats 

 and peas mixed make a first-rate soiling crop and 

 have been much used. 



Late sown peas in warm or dry regions have little 



