8 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



The fertilization may be hastened by the judicious 

 use of commercial fertilizers. When these are applied in 

 addition to the concentrates fed, the increase in fertility 

 will be proportionate under normal conditions. When 

 these influences act in conjunction, the fertilization is 

 rapid, and it is virtually without waste, especially when 

 grass pastures are thus grazed. As the grasses that 

 cover the soil almost entirely prevent waste in the fer- 

 tilizer applied, there is not only increase in the top 

 growth from the application of the fertilizer, but there 

 is proportionate increase in the root growth, a fact of 

 much significance when the pastures are broken, be- 

 cause of the extent to which root growth adds fertility 

 to the soil. There is probably no method that will im- 

 prove worn lands more quickly and more cheaply with 

 reference to fertilization and also to their mechanical con- 

 dition. 



Such a method of fertilizing arable lands distant 

 from the farmsteading is entirely practicable, and it is 

 eminently satisfactory. It would be too costly to ferti- 

 lize them by applying farmyard manure, because of the 

 cost of labor involved. Fertilization through commercial 

 fertilizers would be slower and less satisfactory. When 

 practiced as outlined, it should be safe, relatively, cheap 

 and eminently satisfactory. 



Sheep and fertility in paddocks A sheep paddock, as 

 is generally known, is a small inclosure located near the 

 farmsteading, more roomy than a yard and much less so 

 than a field. It is, in a way, an indispensable adjunct of the 

 arable farm. It furnishes in summer grazing grounds for 

 temporary use or for the more permanent occupancy of 

 rams or of other animals that may be in the process of 

 fitting for shows. It may also in some instances be de- 

 voted to the growing of soiling foods or of pastures other 

 than grasses. When used, as they sometimes are in win- 

 ter, as yards for feeding certain fodders, the soil becomes 

 very rich, and in consequence it becomes well fitted for 



