42 SHEEP FEEDING 



drive them out after they have eaten for two or three hours. 

 The following day increase their time in the corn about an 

 hour, and so on during succeeding days until the fifth or 

 seventh, when they can be turned in and left. This is one of 

 the most important points in this method of feeding, and care- 

 lessness or rush at this time will result in loss from bloat. 

 The observant shepherd will notice, if possible, whether 

 there are any backward lambs that are not taking hold of 

 the peas very well at first ; for if there are, the chances are 

 good that they will bloat after they once get a taste of 

 them and have a chance to eat all they want. Some sheep 

 will graze the undergrowth clean as they go; others seem 

 to prefer to run over the whole field and pick out the choice 

 bits first and then clean up the leavings. If they can be 

 induced to follow the first method, it is to be preferred. 

 Some make them graze in this way by using a series of 

 hurdles or temporary fencing that they move forward every 

 few days. Sheep will continue to pick and work over the 

 growth which they grazed first if allowed to do so until it 

 is well cleaned up, but they should not be forced to it be- 

 fore being allowed a fresh patch, for under these conditions 

 they will not fatten. If possible, always have a pasture 

 that is accessible to the cornfield, so that the sheep may 

 go back and forth at will. During very muddy weather 

 there is apt to be some waste of feed, but it is not advisable 

 to shut the lambs out of the field, for it is seldom that there 

 is other green feed available, and to take them from it 

 entirely would be apt to result in a shrinkage, and when 

 turned back many would bloat. 



Pasturing the cowpeas first, then the rape. It is planned 

 to have the cowpeas cleaned up about the time of the first 

 frost, generally from thirty to forty-five days after turning 



