50 SHEEP FEEDING 



the grain. Break some of the stalks down, shell some of 

 the kernels off an ear, and sprinkle a little salt on it. In 

 other places shell the kernels from low-hanging ears and 

 let them fall just beneath. It will not be long before the 

 sheep are eating corn very nicely ; in fact, after they once 

 get a taste of it the danger begins, for they are then apt to 

 overeat and founder. Use a watclxful eye at this time, for 

 some will be eating corn all right while others have not 

 started, and when it is thought that the whole flock is 

 safely on full feed a foundered sheep will be discovered. 

 If after they get a good taste of corn some seem to be eat- 

 ing too much, — one of the first indications is seen in ker- 

 nels that have been coughed up, — take them out for a 

 little while, perhaps a quarter or half a day ; but do not 

 keep them away so long that when they are returned they 

 will be very hungry, for they will then gorge themselves 

 again. It is an excellent plan to have one field in which 

 part of the corn has been shucked out, and when the 

 sheep are turned back let them work through this scanty 

 portion and get partly filled before they reach the best 

 places. One large cornfield that was being very success- 

 fully grazed was arranged in this way : The portion nearest 

 the barn, where the sheep were kept at night on account of 

 wolves and dogs, had the best ears shucked out. Farther 

 on the whole crop was left, and next to this there was a 

 pasture with water in it. When the sheep left the barn lot 

 in the morning they started in the field where they had to 

 hunt and rustle for the corn. About noon they reached the 

 good part, filled up, and then went on to the pasture where 

 they got their water, drank, and lay down until about two 

 o'clock. At that time they grazed in the pasture for an 

 hour or so and then started l:)ack in the good part of the 



