10 



N. C. AGKICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



has not been used extensively in sheep feeding there are considerable 

 data to show that it is a valuable feed for this purpose. 



In the South where the grazing season is long and where so many 

 annual crops can be grown and consumed both in the green and mature 

 stage, there are exceptional advantages in sheep farming. Corn silage 

 will take the place of roots, which are used very extensively by the 

 English and Scotch flockmasters. The many weeds and coarse grasses 

 annually growing in this section may be converted into money through 

 sheep, and at the same time add yearly to the value of the land from the 

 manure produced. These rough feeds and grasses should be utilized, 

 and there is nothing more profitable in so doing than by the use of a 

 healthy flock of ewes. 



Pasturage and Succulent Feeds. 



During the spring, summer and fall annual grazing crops can be de- 

 pended on largely to furnish green feed for sheep. In the western por- 

 tion of the State where permanent pastures thrive, they will be of great 



FIG. 3. A field of rye and rape for sheep pasturage. 



value in the economical production of sheep. During the winter a com- 

 bination of grazing crops, and corn silage on farms where the latter is 

 produced, will materially reduce the cost of maintenance. Rape should 

 be included in the dietary. It is greatly relished by sheep and will 

 furnish an abundance of green feed. However, it can be grown suc- 

 cessfully only on fertile or well manured and carefully prepared land. 

 The following rotation is suggestive of what may be grown for sheep 



