304 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



Care of Ewes during the period of Gestation. Liberal food for the ewes while 

 carrying their lambs will greatly increase the vigor and size of their young, as well as 

 improve them generally ; besides, where an ewe is kept in good condition during the period of 

 gestation, she will have a more liberal supply of milk for her lambs when dropped. Want 

 of proper food will deteriorate any flock, since without a sufficient supply of nourishment no 

 animal can reach a full development, and will soon be reduced to inferior size and quality. 

 The farmer who thinks to economize by stinting his animals or feeding coarse, unpalatable 

 food, at this season, or any other, makes a serious mistake, for whatever tends to degenerate 

 his stock is money out of his purse, instead of in it; and no animal can successfully meet 

 the demands that nature makes in reproducing its kind without the aid of proper food, and 

 that too in sufficient quantity. 



By not permitting the rams to run with the flock, the farmer can regulate the time of 

 the appearance of his lambs as he chooses, whether he prefers them early or later. All 

 domestic animals should be petted to a certain extent, and thus be kept tame. This can 

 easily be done by always treating them kindly and accustoming them to be handled so that 

 they will know no fear. Sheep that are wild and timid cannot be as profitable as those that 

 are tame, other conditions being equal, as the labor of caring for a wild flock is much greater; 

 besides, loss of lambs is often occasioned by the running and jumping of the ewes when 

 frightened about the time of lambing. Sheep that are well fed and receive kind and gentle 

 treatment will be tame and quiet. 



As the time for the young lambs approaches, those ewes that are the most forward should 

 be separated from the rest of the flock, and put in a clean, warm, dry place. A stable is 

 generally preferred in cool climates; from four to eight being put in together. In this 

 way they can be better cared for, and there will be less liability to trouble, than where a 

 larger number are crowded together. They should have careful attention, and be seen by 

 the keeper often, in order to give assistance, if necessary. But nature does her work best 

 unassisted, and mechanical aid should not be rendered unless necessary, as any undue haste 

 may involve greater danger than the delay. In many instances several hours may be 

 required, the labor recurring at intervals. 



The natural presentation of the lamb is with the nose between the fore feet; should the 

 reverse happen, and the hind feet be first presented, as is sometimes the case, there will 

 generally not be much difficulty; when the head is turned back or any other unnatural 

 presentation, the lamb should be gently pushed back and a better position secured by turning. 

 In all such cases of mechanical aid, the hand of the operator should be well oiled with fresh 

 lard or olive oil, and the work done very gently, as rough, harsh, or careless treatment at 

 such a time is not only cruel and inhuman, but would result in the loss of both ewe and 

 lamb. Ewes that are well fed will be less liable to have trouble at such times, since they will 

 be more strong and vigorous than those that receive but indifferent care. 



When ewes have had severe and protracted labor, from wrong presentation, injury, 

 malformation or death of foetus, where force has been necessary for relief, causing 

 inflammation, carbolic acid will be found very serviceable in allaying inflammation thus 

 caused, and will often save the animal. It should be procured in solution; and can be 

 procured of any druggist. One part of carbolic acid in solution, to six parts of soft water, 

 with the help of a large syringe, will remove the difficulty. The application should be to 

 the injured parts, and before any inflammation takes place, if possible. If the difficulty be 

 great, its application should be made two or three times a day. The ewe should be kept very 

 quiet, with no noise or disturbance of any kind. 



Ewes that are suckling lambs require a large quantity of food. For a few days after 

 lambing they should be fed on roots and bran, which cools the system and promotes an increased 

 secretion of milk; but after a week or more has passed, richer food may be given, and they 



