SHEEP PASTURES. 28 1 



the succession at which he shall grow them, and, 

 fourth, the nature and extent of the fencing 

 required. Though the principle is applicable in all 

 the arable sections of the United States and Canada, 

 the application of it will vary with the surroundings, 

 and it will vary from year to year with the specific 

 requirements for that particular season. 



There are but few flockmasters, however, pos- 

 sessed of tillable land who cannot embody the prin- 

 ciple, to some extent at least, in their practice. They 

 can grow one or more of these foods to pasture the 

 sheep on when the grasses are dry. That alterna- 

 tion in grazing off the pastures may be possible, the 

 fields may either be permanently fenced, or movable 

 fences may be used. The greatest convenience and 

 profit will most probably be found in combining the 

 two ideas, that is to say, in having some fields long 

 rather than broad enclosed with permanent fences, 

 and then using some portable fence to be placed 

 across the narrow fields as occasion may require. 

 With winter rye, sorghum, rape and a grass pas- 

 ture, sheep can be supplied with succulent food from 

 spring until the advent of winter. In some seasons 

 one of these along with grass may suffice, in other 

 seasons two of them, and yet, again, all three may 

 be necessary. But various other plants may yet be 

 introduced which will possess even superior adapta- 

 tion in providing summer pasture for sheep. 



