248 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



sorghum are good, but not as good as the former. Of the 

 clovers, alsike is the most suitable, being of fine growth. 

 In the central states and southward, cowpea hay will be 

 in order, in addition to other fodders that may be grown. 

 They may be allowed to pick over straw used for bedding, 

 but should not be expected to eat much of it. 



The succulence fed must consist mainly of field roots 

 or corn silage, save in localities so mild that grazing 

 is practicable to some extent. Before the ewes produce 

 lambs, and for a few days subsequently, the ewes should 

 not be given more succulence than is necessary to keep 

 the digestion in tone. An excess of succulent food at such 

 a time may so stimulate milk formation as to lead to an 

 inflamed condition of the udder and possibly to other 

 evils. But after the lambs have become able to take all 

 the milk, the dams may be fed field roots practically up 

 to their capacity to consume them. No food can be given 

 to the ewes that will tend more to stimulate the milk 

 flow. Corn silage furnishes good succulence, and in the 

 absence of field roots should be fed to the extent of 3 to 

 4 pounds a day when it can be had and when it is of good 

 quality. It may be somewhat hazardous, however, to 

 feed it up to the capacity of the sheep to consume it, as 

 it is not so safe a food as field roots. Far South various 

 kinds of grazing may be accessible in the fields during a 

 portion of the time in the form of rape, the sand vetch, 

 winter oats and even cabbage. During intervals when 

 grazing would be imprudent these could be fed as a soil- 

 ing food. 



The most suitable concentrates, without regard to 

 cost, are those that will best maintain the milk flow for 

 the young lambs, and that will at the same time prevent 

 undue emaciation in the dams. These will include, or 

 may include, all the leading cereals grown, but blended with a 

 view to make a milk-producing ration. Usually wheat 

 bran will be given considerable prominence in the mix- 

 ture. The unground grain will most frequently include 



