w HEAT < i in 1:1:. 26! 



Handling the Flock. 

 Reverting to the sub j eel of the ram most suitable f < > 1 farmers 1 purposes 

 it must be remarked thai unfortunately many farmers are content to use 



almost any breed of ram, and in many cases the crossbred has become a 

 nondescript animal. It should always be remembered that a poor type of 

 lamb costs as much to keep and as much to market as a high-class one, 

 while the difference in price will amount to many shillings. Similarly, a 

 poor type of ewe costs as much to keep as a good one, but will breed only a 

 poor lamb and give half the weight of poor quality fleece. 



It may cost a little more to buy a good line of ewes or a few good rams, 

 but the extra outlay is amply justified by the return in wool and progenv. 



The ewes should not be kept after their mouths begin to break. Old 

 ewes certainly make good mothers, but they give a poor fleece of low weight, 

 and furthermore, do not thrive in dry times, and they generally die early 

 in drought periods. When they are becoming aged the first opportunity 

 should be taken to fatten and sell them. 



Success in lamb-raising depends very largely upon successful mating. 

 In some cases this may be difficult to secure, but as a rule it should be arranged 

 to commence towards the middle of April, about which time good green 

 feed should be available. At an earlier period the pastures would probably 

 not be in the autumn flush. The ewes should be in good condition at the 

 mating time, but not too fat. It assists if the ewes can be put on some good 

 green feed about a fortnight before mating. 



The rams should be in good, strong, vigorous condition, and to obtain 

 good results two rams should be used to every 100 ewes. If they show a 

 disinclination to work, the ewes and rams should be yarded together at night. 



Sheep are very fastidious in regard to w^ater, and should always be provided 

 with good fresh water. If dirty, they will only drink with reluctance, and 

 as ample water, particularly wdien they are on dry feed, is essential, they 

 should drink abundantly. It is, therefore, an advantage to pump water 

 from dams or tanks, and to keep the drinking troughs scrupulously clean. 



Feeding -off Growing Wheat. 



The feeding-offof growing crops of wheat is frequently practised throughout 

 the wheat belt of New South Wales, It is an operation that is entirely 

 dependent upon the season, and with good rains and mild temperatures in 

 April and May it may become an absolute necessity; but there are many eases 

 where it is not carried out to best advantage as regards the ultimate yield. 



Many farmers who combine sheep-raising with wheat-growing sow their 

 crops very early with the specific object of making use of them during the 

 winter months, when the natural pastures are often insufficient for sheep and 

 particularly unsuitable for maintaining the supply of milk in ewes with 

 lambs at foot. Such men are content to regard any loss in the ultimate yield 

 of grain or hay as amply set off by the feed derived by the sheep. 



Crops Sown for the Purpose. 



Where a crop is being sown with the intention of feeding-ofF, the sowing 

 should be early in order that the wheat may have a long enough growing 

 season to recover from the effects of the feeding-off, and still yield a sati> 

 factory crop. The slow-maturing varieties are, therefore, the most suitable, 

 and have the added recommendation that they produce the largest quantity 

 of leaf. Hence varieties such as Yandilla King and Marshall's No. 3 



