438 MODERN FARRIER. 



As soon as the lambs are brought foilh, they have 

 commonly some milk from their mothers given 

 them, or are allowed to suck them for some little 

 time, which is supposed to increase the affection of 

 the ewes for them ; the lambs being at last left as 

 close by the noses of the ewes as possible, which 

 should be done quickly, that they may not go away 

 without noticing them. The lambs are always 

 greatly strengthened and improved by the ewes 

 licking them, which they constantly do, where they 

 have a proper affection for them. When lambs 

 droop and hang their heads immediately after they 

 are lambed, they are bad and unfavourable signs, as 

 shewino' them to be in a weak and dangerous state. 



47. Weaning Lambs. 



Lambs should be allowed to suck during three 

 months and a half, after which they may be taken 

 up, and kept for a fortnight or three weeks at a dis- 

 tance from their dams; far enough from them to 

 prevent their bleating being heard. The lam^bs will 

 soon begin to feed heartily on grass, especially if 

 they be allowed to go with the wedders. 



]\Iany are in the habit of milking their ewes after 

 the lambs are taken up. It may be proper to take 

 the milk from them once or twice at the interval of 

 two days ; but it is a bad practice to milk them for 

 a length of time, as this hinders their getting into 

 good condition before the rutting season. 



48. Vermin on Lambs. 



In the event that lambs become troubled by ver- 

 min before smearing time, the following directions 

 of Dr. Parry will be found useful. The kippobosca- 

 oviria, or tick, is extremely injurious to sheep, by 

 making the animal bite and rub itself, so as not only 

 to hurt the fleece, but to break the skin ; in conse- 



