Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-08-31
Pastures for Sheep.

Every farmer knows that sheep can
not bear damp soil without in urious
effects attending, and that undrained
pastures are therefore to be avoided;
also all low spots OF hollows in which
marsh plants grow. But all farmers
are not aware of the fact that the char
acter of the soil upon which these ami
mails are paStured has an influence for
good or for bad.
Soils rich in potash, such as those
consisting of decomposed granite or
feldspar, are not favorable for sheep;
pastured long on such lands they show
a generally unhealthy appearance, es-
pecially the lambs. These lands are all
well enough for cattle, but sheep thrive
best ON sandstone and limestone soils OF
a dry, porous character. The original
home of the Leicester sheep and the
Shropshires is red limestone. The
American Merinos are TO be seen in
perfection on the limestone hills OF Yer
mont.
While peat or marsh lands are unfav-
orable for sheep farms, salt marshes
near the coast are utilized with fair re-
suits, as the saline heritage acts as a
specific against the diseases to which
sheep are subject upon ordinary marsh
lands.
Sheep are also bred with success in
localities where coal is mined, an in
stance of which are the fine tlOcks in
Ohio and Pennsylvania on pastures with
underlying coal formations.
Wherever the locality may be, and
whatever the geological character of
the soil, if the land is not drained sheep
can not be raised with profit. They
must have dry pastures, or diseases
will quickly and surely thin out the
flock.
The character of the soil influences
the character of the heritage and the
character of the sheep is influenced by
the pasture. All kinds of grass are not
equally good for sheep. The flesh and
wool of the sheep, scientists teach, are
but the products of the soil and contain
only what has existed in the plants
which the sheep have consumed.
Analysis of clean wool gives in every
one hundred pounds about seventeen
pounds of nitrogen and FIVE pounds of
sulphur. When fed on nutritious pas
ture the fleece contains quantity OF
greasy matter termed "yolk' and the
animal is in good health. This yolk is
a sure Indication that the food is all
right and sufficient. When the wool
is harsh and dry this proof that the
uourishment is defective. Now the
yolk contains large per cent. of pot
ash, hence the proper food must be rich
in sulphur, potash and nitrogen, as well
as other matters. The bones of the sheep
contain large per cent. OF phosphate
and carbonate of lime. With these facts
in view, it will be seen that the pasture
must either contain grasses giving the
required elements, or be supplemented
by other food which will supply the de-
6ciency. Right here comes the argu-
ment for a variety of grasses, and as
rule a pasture of several grasses is bet
ter than that with one only. The best
of the common grasses are those OF
creeping habit, with fine, short her
bage Timothy, oat-grass, spur-grass,
bluegrass, sleeps fescue, red-top and
orchard grass, when closely pastured;
meadow foxtail, white clover, etc.,
form a desirable heritage for sheep.
Buffalo-grass and the mesquit grasses Of
the West are excellent pastures. by
the way, the occasional dressing OF pas
turs with bone-dust, salt and suiphafe
Of lime furnish a supply OF mineral mat
tiers that are of service.
Parsley, yarrow, wormwooo anu
other grasses of an aromatic or astrln-
gent character are often introduced into
pastures for their medicinal effect upon
the sheep.-N 7. World.