MODERN FARRIER. 437 



in this situation, he should approach them with cau- 

 tion, and hft them gently. When an ewe has mis- 

 carried, it will be proper, if the weather be severe, 

 or very cold, to bring her into a cot, and to keep 

 her there till recovered ; but during mild dry wea- 

 ther, she will be as well in the open air. When 

 about to yearn, the ewes should be on the smoothest 

 and driest ground, both for their own convenience, 

 and that of their lambs when dropt. Nurse ewes 

 should have good pasture, which should not be 

 changed, while they give suck. 



46. Lambing. 



Lambs, when observed to drop on a place where 

 they cannot easily rise, should be lifted and placed 

 on their feet, but otherwise they may be left to 

 themselves. They may be docked when a day or 

 two old, which saves much trouble when the dis- 

 ease called Finding attacks them. Docking makes 

 them look very lively, as, while they are at their 

 frisking time of life, their stumps have commonly 

 a set or cock. The tail, which seems to be a useless 

 and inconvenient appendage, need not be left longer 

 than three inches. But this operation in the males, 

 if pinding does not happen, should be deferred until 

 the time for castration. Ewes, which have been 

 docked, are not liable to lose their lambs by their 

 being entangled by the tail at birth, an accident 

 which happens much more frequently than shep- 

 herds are aware of. 



Lambs that are in health are always lively. Such 

 as do not appear to be inclined to sport with their 

 fellows, should be looked at, and also their dams. 

 Ewes, which appear unkind to their lambs should 

 also be examined. In these cases, something will in 

 general be found to be wrong. Distorted, or im- 

 perfect lambs, should be sold, or killed for home 

 consumption. 



