458 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



VVhile on the other hand, if u ewe of good milking qualities is not 

 allowed to drop her lamb until after being turned on pasture, she 

 will have an over-supply of milk to begin with, more than the lamb 

 can take, and acting upon the same principle of a cow with which 

 the calf is allowed to run, or is being milked by a careless milker, 

 she will readily accommodate the flow of milk to the amount re- 

 quired; and by the time the lamb needs more nourishment, her milk 

 flow is partially dried up. 



It is a decided advantage to have a few hurdles made of light 

 material, and so constructed as to form small pens in which to 

 place the ewes having two lambs for a few hours after parturition. 

 And it is a good practice, when it is known that this period is about 

 at hand, to place the ewe in one of these pens, thus keeping her 

 from being disturbed by the older lambs. 



It is also a good practice to separate those having twins from 

 those having single lambs, keeping each in a flock by themselves. 

 The single lambs are likely to grow more rapidly and be the stronger 

 and more able to crowd out the twins when old enough to be fed 

 alone. 



The lambs should be taught to eat dry food as early in life as 

 possible, and they will do so more readily before than after they 

 have been turned to pasture. This should be provided in an apart- 

 ment to which the ewes cannot have access. And when it can be 

 done, a place for feeding hay should be in the same place, and choice 

 bunches placed there for them. Second crop clover, if cut when in 

 bloom and nicely cured, is excellent for this purpose.- But they 

 should never be expected to eat it up clean, but the racks should 

 be cleaned at each feeding and given to the ewes, or to cattle, and 

 fresh things placed for the lambs. This wdll in a great measure ob- 

 viate their crawling into the racks, and tramping over the hay placed 

 for the ewes. They prefer to eat, and even lie by themselves when 

 there is a convenient place to do so. Their feed at first should be 

 bran and middlings, with a small amount of oil meal added. As the 

 lambs grow older, whole oats should be added, and the amount 

 gradually increased, and by the time they are 2 months old, they 

 should be receiving all they will eat clean twice per day; and if at 

 anvtime some is left, it should be removed before another feed is 

 given. When turned to pasture the grain ration should be con- 

 tinued, adding some cracked corn and whole wheat. In this way 

 they can be made ready for the butcher at 3 months old, weighing 

 on an average from 50 to 60 lbs. live weight; and we believe there 

 is no other animal that can be placed on the market at so near a 

 clear profit. I should say that these figures are not extravagant. 

 We have been having them weigh even above this. We have them 

 reach this weight at a younger age. The facts are, from experience, 



