56 Journal of Agriculture. [8 Jan., 1908. 



No one denies that to get best results, both ewes and rams should 

 be of correct shape, but as a matter of fact, it is rare to see a farmer with 

 five or seven rams all equal or nearly so. He can always point to some 

 he likes as being thicker and better shaped than others. It is as well 

 where possible to give the best rams the first twenty-one days, making sure 

 that the ewes are in season for this period — some of the coarser cross- 

 breds and pure English ewes do not come in season until February. 

 Some lamb-raisers who depend on natural pasture only like the lambs to 

 drop all about the one time, while with smaller men, with fodder crops 

 and near markets, the tendency is for a more prolonged lambing. 



In some cases where fences are not the best, rams cannot well be 

 kept separate and in that case an apron, cut out of any stout tough 

 material, about ten inches deep, and sixteen inches wide, should be tied 

 round the inferior rams so as to hang just in front of the pizzle. This 

 allows them to tease but not to serve, and is one way, when others fail, 

 of allowing the better rams to do the greater amount of work. It is a 

 recognised fact that light made weedy rams will tup more ewes in a given 

 time at the outset of a season, than the thick set, heavier, and less active 

 ones. After three weeks, or six weeks, at the discretion of the breeder, 

 the apron can be removed and the second class rams allowed to finish up 

 ewes not yet in lamb. 



Hoofs should be seen to and trimmed before being joined. Rams can- 

 no: get about and serve so well while allowed to grow long and ugly 

 hoofs as is often the case. Aged rams should be examined to see if any 

 long and loose teeth want removing, as they cannot get hold of the feed 

 at this period of the year if the teeth allow it to slip through. They will do 

 better without such teeth. At this time of year a white scum will often 

 spread over the eyes of a flock. If a ram has a moist streak down the face 

 from the eye, he should te examined. The ailment is commonly credited 

 to grass seed, but it is. in nine cases out of ten, ophthalmia. On the face, 

 in front of the eve, there is a small vein close to the seat of the trouble 

 which should be touched lightly with a pen knife; it will bleed freely 

 but without danger. This action will hasten recovery, and save loss of 

 flesh and time. 



Rams of the British breeds give cause for complaint at this time by 

 not going with the ewes. As a rule they will not go about with them 

 in the dav time, but work in the night. When a flock of ewes is 

 properly in season thev stick to the rams more than the rams to them. 



Rams or ew^es excessi\'ely fat are a trouble, so are two tooth rams, 

 l)ut later on as the heat increases, the fattest will lose condition and will 

 go together. Late in the evening and early in the morning are best times 

 to judge if ewes are in season. One year old rams should have one or 

 two older rams amongst them. 



Roughly speaking, seventy ewes are all a ram should be given. With 

 one year old and aged rams, thirty to forty are about the usual number, 

 according to the season. Two, three, and four year old rams, when in 

 good condition, &c., and a deep purple colour can be found around the 

 testicles, can be expected to serve eighty to ninety, but above these 

 numbers there will be a risk of occasional weak lambs. 



In countrv where ewes scour and get daggy, they should be occasionally 

 cleaned,, as at times they cannot be served through it. It is very seldom 

 a ewe is barren through anv other cause than excessive internal fatness. 

 Stud ewes at times get very fat and they should therefore be kept on 

 scanty feed for a few weeks before joining. 



