30 BULLETIN 738, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



WATERING. 



In the particular locality studied water is so well distributed that 

 driving to water was not necessary. In places less plentifully sup- 

 plied much of such driving can be eliminated by the development 

 of watering places. It is also important to remember that sheep do 

 not ordinarily require water every day, but, especially during rainy 

 periods, can do without it for several days. 



The most serious damage to reproduction under the old unre- 

 stricted methods of herding was due to repeated use of the same 

 camp and bed ground, which not only resulted in the entire denudation 

 of the area so used, but necessitated much driving back and forth at 

 morning and night. This damage can be very largely eliminated by 

 the so-called " bedding-out'' method of herding in which the herder 

 moves around with the sheep and camps near wherever they stop at 

 night. As they bed in a different place each night no driving is 

 necessary. 



By locating bed grounds where liability to damage is least — either 

 because of lack of small reproduction, presence of plenty of palatable 

 forage not previously eaten off, or of sod cover — the injury which is 

 inevitable in such places can be reduced to a negligible amount. 

 It is also advisable in places which are liable to considerable damage, 

 such as areas with only a limited stock of seedlings, areas of repro- 

 duction mostly less than 1.5 feet high, and areas with loose and 

 easily disturbed soil, not to use the same bed ground in. two successive 

 years. 



If the sheep are not gathered on the bedding area until nearly dark 

 and are herded off soon after daylight, the injury from browsing will 

 be much less than if they are allowed to feed on the one spot for 

 several hours. 



On bare dry ridges where natural soil conditions have not allowed 

 reproduction to become established, severe and repeated use of bed 

 grounds may often be desirable to fertilize the soil so that seedlings 

 can grow on it. As with driveways, bed grounds may often be so 

 located and used as to be of considerable assistance in reducing fire 

 hazard. In places where danger is great repeated use of the same 

 area will be desirable. 



None of the foregoing suggestions is impracticable or contrary to 

 the best interests of the stock owner. To carry them out will require 

 in many cases a somewhat higher grade of camp tenders and herders 

 and better supervision, consequently the cost of the business may be 

 slightly greater than with the old unrestricted and usually rather 

 careless methods of herding. This additional cost will be much more 



