100 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA. 



to the sheep, being fed on grass or in open 

 sheds. 



The use of roots is productive of great good 

 to the ewe flock. They are succulent and start 

 a natural milk flow, whereas grain naturally 

 goes more to producing flesh and fat. There 

 is no danger of the ewes consuming too many 

 roots. They push her easily and naturally to 

 a strong flow of milk that has very healthful 

 properties. Ewes highly fed on grain often 

 give milk that is injurious to their lambs. Of 

 this there is no danger when roots are substi- 

 tuted in large part for the grain. 



The shepherd who can readily grow roots 

 has a distinct advantage over the one who re- 

 lies upon dry hay and grain for wintering his 

 ewe flock. Most of the best developed " sheep, 

 the ones seen at our fall shows, come from root- 

 growing regions. Unfortunately roots are not 

 very easily grown in the corn-belt and below, 

 though mangels will thrive well to the south- 

 ward. 



Swede turnips form the bulk of the roots 

 grown for sheep. They should be sown on 

 productive soil, well prepared. The time of 

 sowing varies with climates but usually early 

 in July the seed should go in the ground. It 

 is well to have the land ridged nicely and to 

 sow the seed on the top of the ridge, which 

 makes much easier hoeing and thinning or 

 "singling." In dry climates of course ridging 

 must be attempted with caution not to get 

 them too sharp and tall. Mangels are more 

 productive than swedes but are not so rich 



