158 SHEEP: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



should be lost, and after the first fortnight an enclosure of 

 hurdles is made for the lambs and furnished with suitable 

 troughs. 



LAMB HURDLES. 



At this stage the lamb-hurdle, or lamb creep, becomes an 

 important institution. It is a contrivance by which the lambs 

 are allowed to run forward while the ewes are kept back. 

 The same object may be attained by disposing ordinary hur- 

 dles so that the lambs can pass out of the fold at pleasure. 

 The lamb-hurdle is in constant requisition throughout the 

 spring, and by its means the lambs are able to run forward 

 and crop the choicest herbage before it is soiled or trampled 

 by the older sheep. The best creeps are adjustable to the 

 size of the lambs, and the upright bars through which the 

 young animals pass are round and smooth, and revolve easily 

 upon a central axis of iron. They are also furnished with a 

 similar roller, which forms the top of the creep, so that the 

 lamb passes through without rubbing the wool. The opening 

 is hinged inwards, but is rigid when pushed outwards, and 

 this is done to allow of lambs running quickly back into the 

 fold if frightened, but at the same time to prevent the ewes 

 from passing outside the fold. 



SHEPHERDS. 



Those who employ shepherds must find it entertaining to 

 talk to them. Let a master be ever so well practised in the 

 arts of farming, or ever so well read in the subject of sheep, 

 he will find his shepherd's remarks (that is, if the shepherd is 

 worthy of his class) full of freshness, and of immediate prac- 

 tical value. I have studied shepherds in many sheep districts, 

 in England and in Scotland, and believe them to be a genuine, 

 sound, and reliable set of men. The hill shepherds of the 

 Highlands are men of great experience and trustworthiness, as 

 are also those of Lammermuir and Cheviot. In every sheep 



