198 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



sweet corn is grown which matures within a short period. 

 Sweet corn would seem eminently adapted to such graz- 

 ing in areas where reasonably large varieties of sweet 

 corn can be grown, as sheep will consume much of the 

 fodder in addition to the grain when harvesting sweet 

 corn. 



Such grazing should be begun in a cautious way, or 

 disaster may come to the flock through disturbed diges- 

 tion. This, however, is not necessarily accompanied by 

 bloating, as in the case of rape. The increase that may 

 be made in the duration of the successive periods of graz- 

 ing may be determined by watching the droppings closely. 

 Excessive consumption of the fresh corn tends to induce 

 scouring. The benefit from having a reserve grass pas- 

 ture on hand at such a time, as in the case of rape, will be 

 at once apparent. The sheep may then be allowed to go 

 on the corn when they are not hungry, until they get 

 accustomed to it. 



In grain-growing areas where grass pastures have 

 not been provided sheep are brought in from the West 

 and begin grazing amid the stubbles, and from these they 

 are gradually transferred to the corn grazing. In some 

 instances rape is grown amid the stubbles and also in the 

 corn. In either case it will be found helpful, but when 

 sheep have become so accustomed to corn that they ar^ 

 grazed on it alone, it makes a cheap and reasonably safe 

 fattening food on which to finish them. Should the win- 

 ter close in early, the grazing may continue, but in such 

 instances it is specially important that the corn shall be 

 well matured so that the frost may not increase its flinti- 

 ness. It will be found helpful also at such a time to be 

 able to feed corn from the bundle, or it may be clover or 

 alfalfa, to supplement the food thus gathered during the 

 day. At no time should sheep that are being thus fat- 

 tened be made to glean too closely, or the loss may be 

 more than the gain. Other sheep will do such gleaning 

 more satisfactorily. 



