SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 71 



first importance that the range should not be overstocked. 

 A much larger range is required than in regular, enclosed 

 pastures, over which the sheep scatter as soon as they are 

 driven to them ; while in the open range, under the care of 

 the herder, much of the grass is trodden down by the sheep 

 passing from one point to another in compact flocks, from 

 their sleeping grounds. The proportion of bucks required 

 for the ewes is larger than in the North, as the bucks run 

 with the ewes on the range about five weeks. Three bucks 

 are required for every hundred ewes. The main lambing 

 takes place from Feb. 20 to April 1. It is an interesting 

 observation in regard to lambing, that it is attended with 

 much less danger and difficulty where the sheep live in the 

 natural state of wild animals, than under a more artificial sys- 

 tem. This applies, also, to the general health of the animals. 

 During the lambing season, in the evening or next morning, 

 after the flock of ewes, with the lambs dropped during the 

 day, say from fifty to one hundred, are driven into the 

 camping-ground, the ewes with the newly dropped lambs are 

 separated from the flock, and suffered to rest until the middle 

 of the day, near the camping-ground. The next day, they are 

 moved to another camp-ground, to give place to those which 

 come on that day ; the last comers to join those which came 

 on the previous day. This continues until a flock of about 

 500 ewes and 500 lambs is made up, which is kept separate. 

 It is not safe to calculate, one year with another, that the num- 

 ber of lambs raised will be more than eighty per cent of the 

 ewes. 



All the ewes which lose their lambs for any cause are 

 turned in with bucks, by the first of June, to lamb in No- 

 vember. 



Our informant has but little faith in estimates of profits, 

 as the circumstances vary so much in the situation of the 

 establishment, and the personal and economical habits of the 

 flock-master. He has consented, however, to make a state- 

 ment of the necessary expenses and results, with one flock of 

 1,100 sheep, in one year. 



