164 STATES OF THE RIVER PLATE. 



It has been laid down as an absolute rule, not only 

 that the rams (if any material improvement is to be 

 effected) be separated from the flocks, well kept, and 

 told off' to the flocks at fixed periods, and for a limited 

 time ; but that the borregas must be separated from the 

 flocks before the rams are introduced, and that capones 

 (wethers) and old ewes should likewise be parted out and 

 formed into a flock or flocks apart, until opportunity 

 ofiers for disposing of them, or they can be steamed down. 

 There will therefore be required, on every estancia of 

 any size, one or more ' puestos ' for capones and old ewes, 

 placed in potreros that will least incommode tlie ewe 

 flocks. Also a puesto, with fenced or unfenced run ff)r 

 the borregas, which would have to be either redistributed 

 to the flocks, after the rams are taken out, or formed into 

 permanent flocks, and supplied with rams when of proper 

 age. 



On the central farm a sufficient extent of land would 

 have to be laid out, fenced, and subdivided with conve- 

 nient paddocks (potreros) ; together with the like for 

 tillage of alfalfa, maize, and other artificial grasses ; con- 

 veniently situated with respect to corrals, sheds, wells, 

 drinking- troughs, and other conveniences, erected on it 

 for the rams. 



Assuming that the flocks of the estancia have attained 

 to different degrees of improved quality, it might be con- 

 venient to keep the rams corresponding in quality to such 

 flocks, in separate lots, two or three, as may be ; each 'lot' 

 having its own potreros, sheds, and corral ; and probably 

 the most convenient arrangement woidd be to have tliese 

 potreros alternating with the ' alfalfares ; ' which latter, 

 when not standing for mowing, and the ground being 

 dry, would serve for occasional grazing, to relieve the 

 grass potreros. 



