SHEEP AS IMPROVERS OF CROP YIELDS 15 



When sheep may glean amid the stubbles from which 

 grain crops have been removed, they not only gather the 

 heads of the fallen grain more or less, but they feed upon 

 the weeds which have grown among the same. Even though 

 they should reject the stalk, almost invariably they will con- 

 sume the seeds. The seeds of some weeds when sufficiently 

 numerous aid materially in fattening them. Such is wild 

 buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus), which grows so 

 abundantly in the grain fields of the northwestern prairies. 

 The service which sheep may thus be made to render grain- 

 growing farmers is very great. When such crops as dwarf 

 essex rape and fall turnips have been sown along with the 

 grain, the profits from such grazing usually are greatly en- 

 hanced. 



Sheep may be made to profitably consume weeds that 

 grow amid standing corn under certain conditions of growth, 

 without any injury to the corn. These conditions call for 

 corn of sufficient height to produce ears reasonably high 

 from the ground, and that has not been too far bent over 

 by storms. As is generally known in seasons of much rain- 

 fall, weeds may grow luxuriantly after the last cultivation 

 given to the corn, and unless eaten down before the corn is 

 harvested many of them may mature their seeds. For such 

 grazing lambs have higher adaptation than sheep, since they 

 are much less liable to disturb the corn. 



Lambs are usually weaned about the time that such 

 grazing is ready. The corn stalks furnish a grateful shade 

 for the lambs. While thus gleaning they will, when suffi- 

 ciently numerous, clean out the weeds. They may also trim 

 off the lower leaves of the corn, but the corn crop will not 

 be harmed by such trimming. Usually they will not disturb 

 the ears as long as other food is plentiful. 



There is no place probably wherein sheep will render 

 better service than when allowed to glean amid the by-places 

 of the farm. These include such places as paddocks, lanes, 

 fence borders, nooks and corners around outbuildings, and 

 even around the dwelling, front and rear, in the absence of 



