18G 



THE RURAL EFFICIENCY GUIDE STOCK 



TYPES AND BREEDS OF SHEEP (Continued). 



udders and that are poor milkers are unprofitable for raising lambs and should 

 go to the butcher. The condition of the ewe in late summer usually indicates 

 whether she has raised a lamb successfully and as a rule the thinnest ewes at 

 this season are the best breeders. Never select ewe lambs with the object 

 of breeding them the first fall. 



The Mating Season. The gestation period of the ewe is on the average 

 147 days and on this basis and the time it will be most desirable to have 

 ewes produce their lambs, one should determine when the ram should be 

 turned with the ewes. March and April are desirable months to have lambs 

 born if warm lambing quarters and all conditions are suitable for handling 

 the flock. Early lambs have the advantage of getting more personal attention 

 during the first week of their lives, making an earlier growth, and enabling 

 the farmer to put them onto the market before the bulk of lambs are ready and 

 shipped. 



The care of ewes after lambs are weaned, has much to do with suc- 

 cessfully mating them. Lambs should be carefully weaned so as to leave 

 the ewe's udder in normal condition. To insure best results the ewes should 

 be put in scanty pastures and partly milked by hand the day following, and 

 again at intervals of two, three and five days respectfully, when usually there 



