ATTENTION DdRING LAMBING. 261 



ewes should be put together on one side adjoining the shelter 

 pens ; and for these, and the ewes with lambs, food nearest the 

 pen should be preserved, so that they can be brought home 

 without much trouble. By housing the ewes thus early they 

 become accustomed to the movements of the shepherd amongst 

 them, who can thus move about at night with his lantern with- 

 out disturbing the ewes. It is a pretty sight to see the sheep 

 all lying down in their comfortable quarters, so tame and gentle 

 that the shepherd's movements are scarcely noted ; and it is 

 pleasant to see the care with which a good man goes about his 

 work — not hurrying nature, but ready to assist when help is 

 required. 



As soon as the lamb is born, the ewe and her offspring are 

 placed in one of the pens, and supplied with suitable food ; a 

 little gruel should always be at hand, together with a few 

 simple medicines, of which laudanum is one of the most impor- 

 tant. We believe that the medicine chests supplied by Messrs. 

 Day, Son, and Hewitt, are very valuable. There was 

 formerly a difference of opinion as to the advantages or other- 

 wise of giving the ewes water ; our own experience is decidedly 

 in favour of the practice ; possibly the objection may have arisen 

 from its abuse. When animals are feverish, and have not been 

 allowed to drink, they take a large quantity at once, which often 

 causes scour ; but if water is always to be had, they drink a little 

 at a time with decided benefit. Just at first, after lambing, a 

 little sweet hay, a handful of bruised oats, and a small quantity 

 of sliced turnips may be given, care being taken not to give 

 anything in such quantities as to induce fever. 



Whilst the shelter of the ewe pen is most valuable, we must 

 be careful not to render either the mother or offspring delicate 

 by keeping them too closely housed ; therefore, after the third 

 day, if all goes well and the weather is favourable, they may run 

 out in the day time, and after two or three weeks may be 

 removed altogether, and left to shift for themselves with the aid 

 of shelter hurdles, i.e., thatched hurdles setup crosswise, so that 

 whatever the direction of the wind the lambs can shelter. These 

 are very necessary and valuable defences, and well repay some 

 care in the thatching. It is a good plan to have a few made 

 beforehand, so as to be ready for use when wanted. 



