MODERN FARRIER. 425 



«ver, is a practice which may occasion much disap- 

 pointment, as tups often leap without accomplishing 

 their purpose. Both tups and ewes should be in 

 the best possible condition. 



Tire period during which th€ rams are to go with 

 the ewes, must be regulated by climate, and the 

 quantity of spring food provided. It is of great im- 

 portance that lambs should be dropt as early as pos- 

 sible, that they may not only be well nursed, but 

 have time to get stout, and able to provide for 

 themselves before the winter sets in. It is also of 

 advantage to the ewes, that they may get into good 

 condition before the rutting season. 



21. The Ewe. 



The ewe produces one or two lambs at a time, 

 and sometimes, though rarely, three or four. She 

 bears her young five months, and brings forth in 

 the spring. The ram lives to the age of about fif- 

 teen years, and begins to procreate at one. When 

 castrated they are called wedders : they then grow 

 sooner fat, and the flesh becomes finer and better 

 flavoured. 



22. Different Breeds. 



The variety in sheep is so great, that scarcely any 

 two countries produce sheep of the same kind : there 

 is found a manifest difference in all, either in the 

 size, the covering, the shape, or the horns. 

 I The woolly sheep is found only in Europe, and in 

 the temperate provinces of Asia. When transported 

 into warmer climates it loses its wool, and becomes 

 hairy and rough ; it is likewise less fertile ; and its 

 flesh no longer retains the same flavour. 



It has been stated by lord Somerville, in his ' Sys- 

 tem of the Board of Agriculture,' that all the breeds 

 e>f sheep in this kingdom may be arranged into two 



3 H 



