220 Western Live-stock Management 



Kale. 



Kale is used to a very limited extent for pasturing. Its 

 most common use is that of a winter soiling crop in climates 

 that do not fall below the freezing point. At such seasons 

 cultivated ground is too wet to pasture. 



Alfalfa. 



Throughout the irrigated sections alfalfa makes a very 

 heavy yielding pasture. Sheep grow and fatten rapidly 

 on alfalfa pasture, while the heavy yield makes the cost 

 low. Unfortunately there is always danger of bloat on 

 alfalfa, especially in midsummer. The average loss of 

 ewes and lambs on alfalfa pasture is about 10 per cent for 

 the season. This figure, however, represents only the 

 approximate average. In actual farm practice one may 

 sometimes pasture alfalfa for several years and not lose a 

 sheep and again half or two-thirds of the flock may be lost 

 in one day. So far no sure preventive has been dis- 

 covered, although innumerable plans have been tested. 

 The farmer who uses alfalfa for his sheep must, therefore, 

 figure on taking some chances. 



