82 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 

 CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF BREEDING EWES. 



All too frequently the care and proper management of his flock of breeding ewes 

 receives scant attention from the farmer. He thinks them able to shift for them- 

 selves, and, as a result, declares sheep ' no good.' A little care and a very small ex- 

 penditure of money would frequently change this verdict and leave a nice balance in 

 favour of the s^mallest as well as the larger flocks. 



Accordingly, a few suggestions as to the care of breeding ewes are oftered. 



In the Autumn. 



In the autumn, just prior to the mating season, the ewe should be given fiesh 

 pasture or a small feed of grain to start her gaining in flesh. This should be kept up 

 through the mating season and may be expected to show up in results at lambing 

 time with an increased percentage of lambs. 



As the housing time draws near, see that the fold is in good condition, that is, 

 clean and free from holes likely to cause draughts. A cool, well-ventilated, clean pen 

 means good, healthy sheep and sturdy lambs. While shelter and cleanliness, with 

 pure, cool air, are essential, exercise is imperative, if a good lamb crop is to be hoped 

 foT. Of course, mild exercise is understood. 



The winter ration should consist largely of roots (turnips) and clover hay or pea 

 straw. Ensilage has been fed with great success. As lambing time draw-s on, less 

 roots should be fed. The milking ewe needs a considerable addition to the roughage 

 ration and mangels, with clover or pea straw and some shorts or bran and crushed oats, 

 suit her well. 



An excellent supplementary food in summer is afforded by rape. This is 

 especially good for lambs. They may be allowed to nibble it at will, having other 

 pasture to run on at the same time. 



FARM CROPS. 



The rotation mentioned in the report for 1899 is being followed. The following 

 crops have been grown during this year: — 



OATS. 



Five varieties of oats were grown, namely, Banner, Improved, Ligowo, Golden 

 Beauty, American Beauty and Siberian. They were sown on land that had been in 

 roots, corn or potatoes the preceding year. In the autumn after the above-mentioned 

 crops had been harvested, the land was ribbed, as is done in sowing turnips or mangels, 

 and left lying so till the spring, when it was broken down and sown. The particulars 

 of the varieties grown are as follows : — 



Golden Beauty. — ^ acres, sown May 2, If bushels per acre, matured in 103 days, 

 August 13. Yielded 48 bushels per acre. Measured bushel weighed 40^ pounds. 



Siberian. — 6§ acres, sown May 3. If bushels per acre, matured in 105 days, August 

 16. Yielded 54^ bushels per acre. Measured bushel weighed 42 pounds. 



American Beauty. — 44 acres, sown May 2, matured in 103 days, August 13. 

 Yielded 4Yi bushels per acre. Measured bushel weighed 40 pounds. 



Improved Ligowo. — 8| acres, sown April 28, If bushels per acre, matured in 98 

 (lays, August 4. Yielded 501 bushels per acre. Measured bushel weighed 42i pounds. 



Banner. — 12 acres, sown April 30, 2 bushels per acre, matured in 100 days, August 

 S. Yielded 60J bushels per acre. Measured bushel weighed tO pounds. 



