FOR SHOW RING AND MARKET. 107 



Raising a Cosset. 



It is questionable whether the raising of cosset lambs is 

 a profitable undertaking or not. That they are a consider- 

 able responsibility on one's hands those who have attempted 

 to raise them can verify. Unless they are fed very often 

 and very carefully they do not do nearly as well as when 

 raised in Nature's own way. In the case of grade lambs 

 the profit from raising a cosset is little perhaps nothing; 

 but in the case of pedigreed sheep, if we can raise a good 

 specimen, it is no doubt a profitable undertaking. 



The greatest danger to be averted in the raising of a pet 

 or cosset lamb is the over-feeding of same. Little and often 

 is the true secret in feeding a cosset where success in raising 

 it is considered. Very rich milk is liable to cause bowel 

 trouble with the youngster the first week or so of its life, 

 unless it be reduced in strength to a suitable degree. Some 

 cow's milk should be reduced at least twenty-five per cent 

 before being fed to a lamb under ten days old, but as the 

 lamb gets older, so in proportion the milk may be fed 

 stronger. 



It is in the counties of Somerset and Dorset in England 

 where cosset lambs are raised to perfection. There many 

 dairymen make it a rule to raise a score or so of Dorset 

 lambs each Winter. These they obtain from shepherds 

 whose ewes sometimes give more lambs than they can profit- 

 ably take care of. For these the shepherd usually gets a 

 shilling twenty-five cents or more a head. These lambs 

 are usually cared for by the dairymen's wives or the dairy- 

 maidens, and that they are well taken care of their broad 

 backs, plump bodies and beautiful white fleeces fully attest. 



