The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-17
THE SHEEP IN SPRING.


As soon as the grass begins to grow in
spring the important question comes up of
changing the sheep from hay to grass. 1t
is true that all through the winter they
have been nibbling the tufts of old grass
on the sides of hills and under bushes and
briars, but this dead grass is all so different
from the new, green grass that an impor-
tant change Immediately takes place in
the system of the animals. The sheep
should be turned aiield frequently during
early spring, in order to accustOm them
selves to the change: but so soon as the
grass gets any growth it viii not do to let
them roam about the fields all day and fill
themselves. Half an hour'sstime in the
field will purge them, and make them turn
away in DISGUST from the dry fodder. They
should be allowed to eat very little green
grass at first. and for the first six
weeks or two months the change should
go on very gradually. Dry feed should be
given them every day, and while the feed
racks are being cleaned out and relied
they may be allowed to eat the green grass.
This ought not to take more than fifteen
Or twenty minutes.
Ewes and lambs are more sensitive to
the change than the rams. and it is dam
Eerous work to let them loose in q clover
field until their whole systems are toned
up This becomes more dangerous when
the clover is wet. The change should be
introduced by preparing their stomachs
With soft feed, such as roots, bran mashes,
green rye, etc. The danger is then all
averted, and the systems of the sheep, in
stead of receiving setback, take on re-
newed vigor and strength.
After spring has fully set i'll the ques-
ton Of depasturing becomes important,
and the sheep become invaluable adjuncts
TO the farm in this respect. The earth
needs to be pressed and packed about the
roots of the wheat and grass, which the
irost cracks and seams have exposed.
The cows and other animals are too heavy
lor this work, but the innumerabie feet OF
the sheep do the work well. They pack
the ground down about an inch or two
inches, and make it smooth and even. In
allowing the sheep TO depasture wheat or
geu IS necessary to keep strict watch
upon them, and see that they are not al
owed to remain there too long, or to de-
pasture it in a patchy way. They will
0metimes avoid all long stalks, and look
ony Tor the very young ones and nibble
Mese off very close, leaving great
pitches untouched. This would
Work great injury 10 wheat.
me Hook should be broken up and forced
craze on the patches of long stalks. De-
assuring wheat with sheep viii prove of
ksat benefit by reducing the amount of
anage by making the stalks stronger and
saorter and by making the field clearer
aau more open. But no work on the farm
.sqmres more judicious and intelligent
~atehiulness. The work should be done
Sa'y when the ground is dry enough to
Make II iii for narrowing, and should
asrch freeze come the sheep should he
sept on for several days after the ground
LAY tnawed The sheep should not be al
owed TO 60 on the fields in several days in
recession. The proper way is to turn
s ssm into the field At different points each
s"e; so that one side of the field will not
9epastured and the other side I'M
,ucned. After the wheat begins TO Joint
M sneep should be turned Oft and not al
eo IN the flelds again. f. L. SMITH.