122 SHEEP : BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



is set at rest by a quietly-spoken word drawing his attention 

 to the head, the neck, the hocks, the pasterns, the mouth, the 

 ears, &c. ; and when once mentioned there falls from his eyes 

 as it were scales, and he sees and not only sees, but wonders 

 why he had not seen for himself. This is one of the reasons 

 why it is necessary to study sheep in the fold and the pen, 

 and not only by means of books and newspapers. 



After rams have been bought and the flock has been weeded, 

 we next come to the 



DRAWING EWES TO THE VARIOUS RAMS. 



In an ordinary flock rams may be turned in among three or 

 four hundred ewes, but in high-bred flocks the ewes must be 

 drawn into little lots or even individually put to sheep likely to 

 suit them. Practically, small parties of ewes, each accom- 

 panied with a ram, will be found sufficiently minute as a system. 

 The principle of selection is simple, but the judgment required 

 is very considerable. Strong ewes will be best mated with a 

 ram of finer quality, and fine ewes may be put with a stronger 

 description of sheep. Light colour may be corrected with a 

 darker shade and vice versa. Weak fore-ends, weak necks, 

 want of width over the ribs or loins may be met with 

 exuberance in these particulars in the male, and thus the 

 flock may advance still one step further in its development 

 and approach to perfection. 



BEST CONDITION FOR EWES. 



Ewes ought to be brought into good condition before 

 tupping by means of suitable food. A short lambing season 

 is secured by a quick seasoning of the ewes, and this is 

 promoted by liberal and stimulating feeding both before and 

 at the time that the rams are out. Early turnips, good rape 

 or kale, and in some cases about one quarter pound of cake 

 help to bring ewes on, and such good and therefore expen- 



