204 MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 



however, eat it sparingly before the first flowering, if any of 

 the natural grasses abound in the same field. But the after- 

 math or rowen they eat greedily, and is exceedingly nutri- 

 tious to all domestic animals. Clover will be alluded to 

 again hereafter, and the comparative quantity of nutriment it 

 affords, mentioned. 



White Clover {Trifolium repens). This grows spon- 

 taneously on dry uplands, after they have been manured with 

 gypsum or with bog marl. It is a very sweet grass for 

 pasture, but not productive. Sheep eat it readily when 

 mixed with other varieties, and proves salubrious to them. 



But, of the various natural grasses common to the United 

 States, none appear to be so much relished by sheep, or 

 afford a greater degree of nutriment, than the blue or poa pre- 

 tense and timothy grasses. Unlike some of the others, sheep 

 consume these with avidity from the earliest to the latest 

 period of the pasturage season. A tolerably well-conducted 

 experiment, made several years since, satisfied the writer 

 that the sheep-grower must rely much on timothy, as being 

 for pasture and hay combined, unsurpassed by all others. 



SHADE TREES. 



For the purposes of adornment and utility, shade trees are 

 not sufficiently appreciated by the American husbandman. 

 To sheep, particularly just after shearing, they are pecu- 

 liarly grateful ; and, during the warm season, are indispensa- 

 bly necessary to promote thrift, inasmuch as they contribute 

 to greater quietness. If the axe has been ruthlessly laid to 

 the roots of those which have been natural tenants of the 

 farm, their places should be supplied by others. The com- 

 mon maple, linden, and sycamore will be found valuable for 

 this purpose. A few of the second shoots of forest clear- 

 ings, which grow with great rapidity, and consequently, in 

 a few years, afford an abundant shade, should be left, and 

 the most thrifty ones selected for this purpose. If the flock- 

 master is careful in his observations, he will learn that sheep 

 which have had the benefit of woods to retire to during the 

 heat of the day, will be in better condition in the fall, than 

 others deprived of such grateful retreats. 



WATER. 



AVater is not deemed so absolutely necessary for sheep as 

 other domestic animals, since their instincts lead them to 



