70 FITTING SHEEP 



is "stood" he should serve 60 ewes without showing the 

 least sign of fatigue or injury. This is the number I should 

 advise where the ram is full of vigor; and of course we 

 should use none other. If the ram is well taken care of 

 during the day no harm is liable to follow if he be turned in 

 with the flock during the night after being "ruddled" with 

 a mixture of lamp-black and oil, or some other coloring 

 substance. When "ruddling" a ram the shepherd should 

 be particular to observe that the coloring matter is well 

 rubbed on the breast and between the fore legs so that it 

 will be clearly imprinted on the ewe's rump after being 

 served, a proof that the ram has satisfactorily performed 

 the duties expected of him. 



The Teaser. 



Many flockmasters to save wear and tear of the consti- 

 tution of a very valuable stud ram employ what is known 

 as a "teaser" to search for and point out the ewes that are 

 in heat, thereby saving the vigor, strength and constitu- 

 tion of the stud ram. Any ewes that he may point out 

 as being in heat are immediately taken to the pen and 

 served by the stud ram. A wether is often found to do this 

 work satisfactorily; where a ram is used an apron should 

 be so placed upon him as to prevent copulation. The best 

 way to make an apron is to get an old sack, cut three 

 holes in it, one for the head, and two smaller ones for the 

 forelegs to go through. The remaining portion of the 

 sack is then brought back under the belly of the animal and 

 securely fastened around the body a few inches back of the 

 penis. It is important that the "teaser" be examined each 



