SHEEP-FARMING. 49 



IV. 



Next, as to the treatment : It is essential that the rams 

 should not run with the flock. Nothing is so fatal to the 

 sheep-breeder, as to turn his young rams into his flock. 

 Degeneracy is the inevitable result ; and in no country 

 in the world, where sheep-breeding is in a state of pro- 

 gression, is it practised. No ram should be put to ewes 

 imtil he is between twenty months and two years old ; 

 and then, only when he is sound and vigorous. All rams 

 must be kept apart and well fed, and only put with the 

 flock for a certain number of weeks at a certain season of 

 the year. I have no hesitation in stating, from experience, 

 that he will get more lambs under this system, as well as 

 infinitely better ones. 



Every estanciero should keep his rams at the estancia 

 under his own care, or that of his mayordomo ; have them 

 well fed, classified, and distributed among his ' puestos ' 

 at the proper season ; and the ' puesteros ' should be 

 bound to feed them while in the flock. Eams that are not 

 worth this expense and trouble, are not worth having. 

 ' Borregas,' under eighteen months old, should be parted 

 out from the flock before the rams are put in — 'corraled' 

 apart, and 'pastoreada' apart — under care of a shepherd. 

 As to old ewes, get rid of them at any price. The 

 rams should be put with the ewes at the season of the 

 year when the camps are good ; and no efibrt should be 

 spared to keep the flocks in good, even condition. These 

 are the only means which will make a flock of sheep 

 ' worth taking care of,' and give it progressive value. 



