THE MANAGEMENT OF EWES UP TO LAMBING. 249 



we keep three Southdowns or two Cotswolds, so long as each is 

 properly placed. The consumption of food will be in proportion 

 to the increase of weight ; but, of course, for this comparison to 

 be correct, it is most important to have the right sheep in the 

 right place. Where sheep are the ruling live stock — as they 

 should be on sheep land — the proportion will range from one 

 ewe to every two acres, and two ewes for three acres, according 

 to the sort, and according to whether the offspring are sold as 

 hoggets, or finished off late in the spring. We have a very 

 decided opinion that a considerably increased stock might be 

 profitably maintained if a more economical system of feeding 

 were introduced. 



The first point we notice is, that, in order to be vigorous, the 

 ewe must be young; and, except in the case of exceptionally 

 valuable mothers, it is a sound practice to cull the ewes after 

 they have lambed three or four times at most. They wall then 

 be either four or five years old. The draft ewes are thus good 

 in the mouth, and capable of being rapidly fed, or of great 

 service to the lowlander for another crop of lambs, of which 

 more anon. 



In a flock of two hundred ewes, from fifty to sixty shearlings 

 should be introduced in each year, in order to replace the 

 regular culls, and such as have proved themselves defective 

 mothers. With the best management and good fortune a certain 

 per-centage of the ewes are barren ; these, without extra food, 

 manage to get very fat, and should be sold, as it is not worth 

 while running the risk of a second unprofitable season. Again, 

 it is but too often the case that the mammary glands are 

 affected by cold or fever, and though the ewe recovers under 

 careful treatment, her milking properties are lost or injured. 

 Such animals, it is needless to say, must be withdrawn. Hence, 

 to make up for all sources of deficiency (amongst which we 

 must not forget the ordinary mortality, which ranges from 5 

 to 10 per cent.) sixty shearling ewes should be reserved to 

 replenish the flock ; and it is almost needless to observe that 

 they should be the best we grow. Only the culled shearling 

 ewes must be sold, and these find a ready market, either fat or 

 for breeding. The lowlander, again, comes to the fore, as he is 

 precluded from breeding his own ; he is only too happy to meet 



