288 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 



plish much in the way of improvement, and that he cannot expect to se- 

 cure in any two, or even three or four animals, all the points in perfec- 

 tion which he wishes combined in one individual. Above all, let it be 

 remembered that the most careful and judicious selection may be set at 

 naught by ignorant or careless management of the breeding flock; sheep 

 are delicate property, and while with breeders of any race of domestic 

 animals careful attention is a paying investment, with the breeder of 

 sheep it becomes a most essential factor of success. 



The student will find it profitable to make a careful study of the 

 actual methods employed by successful breeders in different parts of the 

 country, and to this end we invite attention to the following letters: 



Shropshires. 



" FAIRVIEW FARM, WOODVILLE, ONT., July 25, j a< *8. 

 * * * * 



" Ewes, if at all low in condition, are prepared for turning to the ram by feeding a 

 little mixed grain two-thirds oats and one-third peas once daily. It is thought by many 

 practical flock owners that ewes gaining in flesh when being served give a larger number 

 of twins. The bucks are usually let to them about the first of September for early lambs, 

 and in October for a later lot. As my flocks are all pure-bred Shropshires, the object in 

 having lambs dropped so early is to have them well forward for exhibiting in the fall, but 

 it is also the most profitable way of raising market lambs, as about Easter good ones bring 

 double the price of those marketed two months later. During the late fall the flock is 

 allowed into its winter quarters at night, but is not kept yarded until the snow covers the 

 ground. 



"The winter feeding until lambing time is as follows: Pea-straw from peas cut 

 before being fully ripe is fed in the morning, three pounds of turnips per ewe at noon, 

 and a full feed of clover hay at night, with abundance of good, clean water. No grain is 

 fed at this period except a small daily allowance of mixed oats and bran to thin ewes. 

 During the winter they are not closely housed, but have an open shed to shelter them 

 from storms and wet, with yards attached for exercise, but separate from all other stock. 



"During our cold winter weather warm quarters are necessary for lambing, but 

 when the lambs are two weeks old, they run into the sheds and yards. After the lambs 

 are dropped, the ewes are carefully tended ; warm drinks of water, bran and a sprinkle of 

 salt are given thrice daily, and clover hay. The third day, oat and pea meals are added 

 to the bran, when the water used for moistening may be cool (but not too cool), and three 

 pounds of mangel-wurzel are given daily. The slop is increased in quantity, until all 

 that is eaten at once is fed morning and night, and tne roots are increased to six pounds 

 for a noon feed, with a full supply of clover hay and water. This liberal feeding induces 

 a heavy flow of milk, just what is required to make the lambs grow rapidly at that stage, 

 and the ewes, as well, will often gain in condition. When the lambs are three weeks 

 old, a separate division is provided for them to run in at will, where a mixture of 

 ground oats, peas, and also bran, with oil cake [linseed] added later on, is fed. When 

 turned to grass, the ewes are given some dry grain for a week or two, and when early for- 

 ward lambs are wanted, the mixture is continued all summer. Whether pre-maturity is 

 wanted or not, all lambs are given an allowance of grain after weaning, about the i5th of 

 July or August i. By this system, Fairview flock has produced yearly averages per ewe 

 of i l /i to i^ lambs, some weighing, year after year in September, 130 pounds, and in 

 1883, a ram lamb, dropped in February, was exhibited from this flock at the Industrial 

 Exhibition, Toronto, Canada, which weighed 175 pounds in September. 



