382 MANUAL OF FABM ANIMALS 



These worms have done more to discourage the propagation of 

 sheep than all other causes combined, especially on the fertile 

 farm lands in the central states. These pests seldom trouble 

 sheep in cool regions, or in cold weather. Lambs are espe- 

 cially susceptible to attack, the older suffering much less and 

 being more easily managed in summer. Because of the cool 

 weather, the New England states, northern New York, 

 Ontario, upper Michigan, and northern Minnesota and Wiscon- 

 sin are comparatively free from these pests. Only occasionally 

 do stomach worms trouble sheep west of the corn-belt, and 

 there they may be avoided by clearing up the watering places. 

 Much of the cheap farm land throughout this section could be 

 put to the profitable production of sheep. 



Pasture for sheep. — Pastures for sheep need similar care to 

 those suggested for cattle. The stand of grass, the drainage of 

 the soil, and keeping down the weeds deserve much attention. 

 It is even more important that they be kept free from weeds, 

 particularly burrs of various kinds, as they are especially inju- 

 rious to the wool (page 286). 



Sheep thrive on pasture as nowhere else. They are particu- 

 larly adapted to grazing short forage, and prefer it, as it is tender 

 and juicy. In fact, sheep often keep parts of the pasture grazed 

 so closely as to injure the plants, while the grass in other parts 

 of the same field is left to grow up and seed. This can be pre- 

 vented in part by mowing the entire pasture twice each year. 

 The sheep will then pasture on the tender second growth. 



Turning to pasture. — ■ Care should be exercised in turning 

 sheep to pasture, otherwise some of the flock may be troubled 

 with bloat. The extent of the trouble depends much on the 

 condition as well as the kind of grass, young succulent grass 

 being more troublesome than older and riper grass, and alfalfa 

 or clover more than blue-grass or orchard-grass. In regions of 

 much dew, alfalfa is likely to be the most troublesome of all. 

 After alfalfa becomes woody there is not so much danger from 



