BBEEDING AND CARE OF SHEEP. 1043 



III. Crossing, 

 Unless the breeder be thoroughly informed, and is breeding with a 

 view to the establishment of a new breed, in which distinct characteristics 

 are to be perpetuated, nothing is gained by crossing two distinct breeds. 

 The breeding of grades is different. If the farmer cannot afford to 

 breed pure stock, the American Merino may ])e crossed upon any of the 

 ordinary fine-wooled sheep of a district. In like manner the Downs will 

 improve the quality of the mutton and wool ; the Leicester will give 

 increased size and early maturity, and length of the wool staple ; so will 

 the Cotswold, and the latter will certainly get good constitutioned sheep. 

 The breeding of Merinos upon long-wooled sheep should never be 

 thought of. 



rv. Coupling. 



In breeding in flock, when more than one ram is kept, select the ewes 

 most fitted to each ram. At the coupling season, drive a flock to the 

 yard and let the proper ram in to them ; never allow more than one ser- 

 vice, and, as soon as performed, separate the ewe, and so proceed until 

 all the ewes in proper condition are served. Never allow a teaser, thai 

 is, an aproned ram, to run with the flock. Make a record of the ewes 

 served, and if from the fourteenth to the seventeenth day they do not 

 again come into heat, they may be considered to be with lamb ; but to 

 make sure, they may be returned to the ram upon the thirteenth day 

 after service. 



V. The Proper Time for Coupling. 



November is the season for coupling ; but if the object be to raise the 

 sheep for mutton and wool, the lambs should not be dropped until after 

 the time of grass, unless a place artificially warmed be provided for 

 weaning. If the object be to sell young lambs, the earlier in the season 

 they are produced the more money they will bring. 



VI. Gestation. 



Ewes cany their young on an average of 152 days from the time of 

 successful service. Twenty-two weeks is usuall}'^ allowed, but the time 

 may vary a week or ten days either way ; 146 days is the shortest period 

 and 161 days the longest. 



VII. Keep a Record of Breeding. 



There is nothing more important in breeding animals — especially pure- 

 bred animals and grades — than to keep a careful record of the breeding. 

 If you buy or breed an animal intended for breeding, enter its age and 

 pedigree, unless the entry is already made in a public record (herd book), 



