CHAPTER IX 

 PASTURES AND GRAZING THEM BY SHEEP 



In Chapter IX the following phases of this question 

 are discussed: (i) The best natural grazing lands for 

 sheep; (2) Grass pastures permanent in character; (3) 

 Grass pastures temporary in character ; (4) Pastures sup- 

 plementary in character; (5) Pastures for winter grazing; 

 (6) Grazing sheep on grass pastures; (7) Grazing sheep 

 on supplementary pastures ; and (8) The benefits from 

 supplementary grazing. In sheep husbandry the ques- 

 tion of grazing and the methods of conducting the graz- 

 ing are relatively of much importance, because of the 

 large portion of the year during which the sheep have 

 access to the pastures. 



The best natural grazing lands — The best natural 

 grazing lands for sheep are: (i) Those that have good 

 natural or artificial drainage; (2) that produce herbage 

 in variety, fine, palatable and nutritious; and (3) that 

 have ample shade and living water. With these requi- 

 sites the value of the pastures will be proportionately ad- 

 vanced by their increasing productiveness. 



If sheep are to thrive continually, it is absolutely 

 necessary that the pastures on which they thrive shall 

 possess good natural or artificial drainage. This does not 

 mean that they must be rolling or even undulating in 

 character, but that they must be free from stagnant water. 

 The greater suitability of undulating and rolling lands 

 for providing such grazing arises from the fact, first, that 

 they usually do possess good natural drainage; second, 

 that the surface of the soil is usually reasonably dry at all 

 seasons ; and, third, that the herbage growing on them 

 is usually such as is relished by sheep. But this does not 

 mean that sheep may not be grown successfully on pas- 



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