262 THE SHEEP OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



We do not here enter into details as to the shepherd's duties^ 

 we would refer our readers to the excellent directions given by 

 Youatt ; but this much maybe said that false presentations are 

 rare except the ewes have been frightened. Hence the import- 

 ance of gentle treatment ; rough handling or hunting by a dog 

 may suffice to cause the evil. Nature should be assisted, not 

 anticipated ; usually a little help at the proper time is all that is 

 necessary. The following remarks by Mr. Cleeve, in his prize 

 essay, published in the first volume of the " Journal of the 

 Royal Agricultural Society," are so sensible that we reproduce 

 them : 



" The shepherd must receive it as a general maxim, to be 

 most attentively observed, that Nature is the best midwife. He 

 must not be led by the appearances of uneasiness and pain to 

 interfere prematurely ; he must watch the ewe closely, and so 

 long as she rises at his approach he may be assured that what- 

 ever uneasiness she may exhibit all is well. Much uneasiness 

 is generally apparent ; she will repeatedly lie down and rise 

 again with seeming distress. If this occurs when driving her to 

 the fold he must be very cautious and gentle in urging her. 

 These symptoms ought to be continued for two or three hours, 

 or even more, before he feels imperatively called on to interfere, 

 except the lamb is in such a position as to warrant fears of 

 losing it. In cold weather particularly the labour is likely to be 

 protracted. Should the ewe appear exhausted, and gradually 

 sinking under her labour, it will be right to give her some 

 oatmeal gruel, with a little linseed, in the proportion of a spoon- 

 ful of the latter to two of the former. (A note appended, by Mr. 

 J. W. Childers, recommends oatmeal gruel, with treacle and one 

 gill of ale ; and after a difficult time of lambing, when inflam- 

 mation is to be apprehended, rye meal gruel, with a good 

 proportion of treacle, without the ale.) When the ewe feels that 

 she is unable of herself to expel the lamb she will quietly submit 

 to the shepherd's assistance. In giving her this assistance, his 

 first duty is to ascertain whether the presentation is natural. The 

 natural presentation is with the muzzle foremost, and a foot on 

 each side of it. Should all be right in this respect, he must 

 proceed to disengage the lamb, first very gently drawing down the 

 legs, and with all possible tenderness smoothing and facilitating 



