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four lambs is the record of one of our Dorset rams on one of the hot- 

 test of June days and this occurred in a flock of fifty ewes. 



It is not claimed that no other variety of sheep will breed in hot 

 weather, but that the Dorsets will breed more readily and uniformly 

 than any other. If the lambs come scattering along all winter they 

 are a constant care and worry, but when they come in a shower as 

 ours usually do, it is a pleasure to care for them. 



In regard to the number of lambs produced, single lambs from 

 mature ewes are the exception. Triplets are common. Thomas 

 Shaw says: "The Dorsets will probably drop and raise more lambs 

 than any other breed." 



As Milkers The Dorset or grade always has an abundance of 

 milk. Some are such persistent milkers that it takes several weeks 

 to dry them up, but this is a good thing for pets and thieves (see cut 

 opposite page.) It is easy to teach the lambs whose supply is short, 

 to come at the call. I mean the twins, triplets, and those whose 

 mothers are out of condition, and then while you hold the ewe the 

 lambs do the rest. Often the best milking ewes can be made to 

 raise another lamb after her own goes to market. 



Recapitulation The virtues of the grade Dorset may be sum- 

 med up as follows: She has size and that counts when she is put 

 on the market as mutton. She has constitution and vigor and that 

 means long life and lots of service. A nine-year-old gummer rais- 

 ed the best part of lambs we had this year. It is no burden to shell 

 corn for her. She is a good rustler. One season's experience 

 showed us that the Dorsets and Merinos have no business in the 

 same barn. The Merinos simply had no show in the rush for feed. 

 She will produce her lambs at the proper time for them to reach the 

 market when prices are highest. She is a fluent milker, the more 

 milk the quicker the lamb goes to market. Our best ewes, if per- 

 chance, they have single lambs, will have them ready for market 

 in less than fifty days." 



