HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 289 



" As a rule, ram lambs are not used, though no doubt an early, well developed one is 

 quite capable of serving a dozen to twenty ewes without hurt, and with good results. 

 When used on a large flock 40 to 60 ewes he is not allowed constantly with them ; is 

 kept apart, fed whole oats and peas, with bran added, and turned to the flock a short time 

 each evening. With half the number a mature buck is run the whole day with the flock, 

 kept separate at night, and fed grain. 



"The winter care of rams is similar to that given ewes before lambing, with the 

 exception of double the quantity of roots being fed ; and also some grain, if more than 

 ordinary condition is required, as for show purposes, or for pushing on lambs to earlier 

 maturity as shearlings. 



"Shearing is generally done before the sheep are turned to grass, in the beginning 

 of May, though sometimes, if the weather is favorable, the wool is taken off a month 

 earlier than that date. To keep the wool in good condition and prevent its being pulled, 

 because of ticks or skin disease, the flock is dipped with tobacco water, or one of the 

 patent sheep dips, early in the fall, while the weather is mild. The lambs are dipped pre- 

 viously in May, when tobacco water is preferred, as it does not injure the tender skin, 

 which the others are apt to do. After shearing, each fleece is carefully spread on a table, 

 skin side downwards, all tags removed, and the sides folded toward the center until about 

 18 inches in width, when it is tightly rolled from the tail end, and a rope twisted from the 

 neck end, with which the fleece is tied up. When tidily done, it can be handled without 

 breaking, and the manufacturer can sort at will. 



"Very truly, JOHN R. CAMPBELL, JR." 



In Mr. Campbell's letter we have a clear exposition of the manner 

 of handling sheep in a cold country, and one which cannot fail to be of 

 value, not only to the breeders of sheep in a similar climate, but to 

 breeders in any latitude. The object in breeding sheep is to make 

 money, and the point with mutton producers is to secure great weight 

 at an early age ; Mr. Campbell explains very clearly the double advan- 

 tage he derives from this early forcing process and shows a close 

 acquaintance with the profit side of sheep account. 



American Merinos. 



STANBERRY, Mo., July 23, 1888. 

 * * * * 



"Commencing at breeding time, when the ewes are supposed to be in lamb, the 

 rams are separated from the ewes, generally keeping all the rams in one fold, and in good 

 thriving condition ; never allowing any to get thin in flesh, usually feeding regularly on 

 the best of clover and timothy hay whenever they desire to eat it ; if this and the pas- 

 turage which should be of the best, and always with pure water, easily accessible is 

 insufficient for the growth of flesh, we give at least once per day a feed of grain, about 

 one gill to half pint each a mixture of three parts oats and one wheat. 



"Through the breeding season, such feeding ought to be nearly, if not quite, doubled 

 for rams. A remunerative plan is to separate the rams at night from the sight of the 

 ewes, and to these as to all other sheep, give thin feed, of a wholesome quality, and in a 

 strictly clean place, with ample room for all to feed without crowding. None of the 

 brute creation is naturally more cleanly, and consequently for profit such rules must be 

 adhered to. 



" With the ram, constitution and vitality cover 60 out of the 100 points, and from the 

 lot the most vigorous and strong (other things being equal) are selected for service. 

 Ewes, after having been bred, are allowed or required to take more of gentle exercise, 

 with an abundant amount of nutritious pasture, and are supplied with well cured and 



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