544 SHEEP THE SHEPHERDS' CALENDAR 



to turn out the rams a week earlier than usual so that a 

 large number of lambs may be dropped before the advent of 

 the most dangerous season. 



THE SHEPHERDS' CALENDAR IN THE SOUTHERN 

 HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND 



January \st. The rams come in from the ewes on the 

 hills, and, to restore their lost condition, usually go to winter 

 on turnips in the low country, at the cost of about 6d. per 

 week, or, if wintered at home, receive an allowance of i Ib. of 

 Indian corn, or its equivalent in some other concentrated food, 

 daily in addition to hay. 



February. Bring in weak ewes to low pasture and give 

 about \ Ib. of concentrated food per day till after lambing 

 time. 



March. Continue to bring in thin sheep to feed. 



April. Bring home ewe hoggs that have been wintered 

 away. 



April i$th to \%th. Lambing generally begins, but on 

 high and exposed places it may with advantage be a week 

 later ; and on favoured spots where spring food comes early, 

 a week earlier. 



May. Mark Cheviot and cross lambs during the last 

 week. 



June 2Oth. Clip Cheviot and Blackface eild sheep and 

 mark Blackface lambs. 



July *jth. Clip milch ewes during the second week. 



July (towards the end of). Dip against maggot, using 

 materials containing a preparation of arsenic and sulphur like 

 those of Cooper and Bigg, the ewes and lambs together 

 August being the worst fly month. Great attention is 

 necessary to see that the lambs find their mothers again, 

 else they will thrive badly. 



August ist. Start drawing four-year-old wethers to go to 

 the butcher, fat from the hill, during the next three months. 



August. Lamb sales in full swing. Wean all hill lambs 

 at dates to suit markets and other conditions. This permits 

 of the ewes making up their condition in that excellent recruit- 

 ing month. 



September. Ram auctions are on, and draft-ewe sales begin. 



September (end) or October (beginning]. Draft ewes go 



