40) BULLETIN 20, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
grass has been the basis of most of the permanent pastures, and 
it is undoubtedly the best pasture grass. Very often a mixture 
of several grasses proves quite satisfactory. The different clovers 
have been used for sheep pastures with success, but care should be. 
exercised in their use, especially if they have been frosted. Alfalfa 
is also used and it is gradually gaining in popularity, but there are 
several precautions to be observed in its use. Bloating must be 
guarded against, and sometimes this is almost impossible. Sheep 
that have been successfully feeding upon alfalfa ftelds for weeks will 
suddenly be affected. No plausible reason can be given for this. 
Fic. 13.—Combination rack for feeding hay and grain. Note construction for keeping chaff, etc., out of 
fleece. 
The loss from bloat can be cut down to a minimum by careful 
management. It 1s generally agreed that having the sheep well 
filled up with their regular ration and watered before turning in will 
lessen the danger. Another precaution is to allow the sheep Foiinn 
upon the field. It 1s considered injurious to drive or hurry them. 
Annual pastures are used in America more to supplement per- 
manent pastures and to flush and fatten sheep than as a complete 
pasturage system. However, Shaw of Minnesota‘' maintained sheep 
throughout the season on annual pastures with fairly good results. 
A number of crops are used for annual pasturage, the most widely 
known of which are rape, oats and peas, rye, cowpeas, soy beans, 
barley, kale, and wheat. 
1 feces il HES riment Station of the Univewite of Minnesota, Bulletin 78, St. Paul, 1903. 
