Damage done to Grass by Sheep.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 334, 3 May 1881, Page 3

Damage done to Grass by Sheep.

In an address to the Indian Growers’ Association, Mr B. F. Magee said the following :—“ There is one thing about pasturing sheep that has been overlooked, viz., the damage done to the grass by being run over by the flock. While, I believe, one acre of good grass will keep - five, or maybe eight, sheep well, I do not believe 100 acres would keep 500 sheep. Five sheep would probably do but little damage to one acre, even though they were confined to it, they would make but few tracks over it in a day, and would easily find fresh grass every day. But suppose we put five hundred sheep on a " one hundred acre lot, if each five sheep would confine themselves to their own : particular acre, they would do well in summer; But they will not do this, . and here is where theory and practice : part company. Our five sheep start out to' graze, and the four hundred and ; ninety-five go along with them. Now, a' sheep is a dainty creature, aud likes • : clean food. So the hindermost part of the flock keep pushing ahead, paying little ‘or no attention to what has been already run over, and being in each ■ ■ ' ■ others way, each \rt>uld go over ten times as much ground, before it filled as it - ought. Going over the trail too frequently, and picking about refute for ■ grass, is, doubtless, what makes large flecks so liable to disease.