^6 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



flowers and shrubs. They may even in certain instances ren- 

 der good service when gleaning in groves and belts planted 

 for protection. It is in such places that weeds are more 

 liable to become entrenched and to escape destruction, since, 

 if destroyed otherwise than by sheep, hand labor is involved, 

 and usually at a season when such labor cannot well be 

 spared. When the vegetation on these by-places is neglected, 

 it not only means that mischievous forms of weed life grow- 

 to maturity, but they give the farm an unkempt appearance 

 that is repelling. The difference between a nicely grazed 

 lane and one rank with weed life is very marked, and the 

 same is true of other nooks and corners. When sheep have 

 timely and sufficient access to these, almost without any aid 

 they will keep them so trimmed that they will present a neat 

 appearance. When the sheep are thus employed, they will 

 be consuming a variety of food which is much helpful to 

 their well being. Sheep thus grazed are usually fat, and 

 their summer food is obtained without cost. 



Nowhere probably can sheep render better service than 

 when grazing on fallow land when it is infested with weed 

 life. Under some conditions there would be little or no 

 food for sheep on land that is summer-fallowed, as, for in- 

 stance, when the land is frequently plowed while lying fallow 

 or frequently cultivated after it has been plowed. Under 

 other conditions much food is furnished, especially on 

 western prairies where weed growth is very rapid in the 

 summer. When sheep can have access to such lands they 

 will crop down weeds that might otherwise go to seed. The 

 presence of sheep in sufficient numbers would reduce the 

 amount of cultivation that would otherwise be called for. 

 and the grazing would tend to impact the soil, which would 

 in many instances prove a material aid when growing the 

 succeeding grain crop. If, at the proper time, which would 

 not be later than the end of June, three pounds of rape seed 

 were sown per acre and covered with a stroke of the har- 

 row, the grazing furnished by the same would in many in- 

 stances fatten 10 to 15 sheep or lambs, and with benefit 



